Public can speak out on city manager issue

Shelbyville residents will get a chance Thursday night to express their feelings about the city manager as Shelbyville City Council will vote whether to keep him or fire him.

An item entitled "Public Comment Opportunity on disposition of City Manager Ed Craig" has been added to the agenda of Thursday's meeting, which will be followed by a motion on Craig's contract.

The meeting kicks off at 6 p.m. in the courtroom at the Shelbyville Police Department.

Controversy arose last Monday after a letter was hand-delivered to Craig informing him that he was fired. The letter was signed by council members Lee Roy Cunningham, Al Stephenson, Thomas Landers and Jean Pruitt.

However, city attorney Ginger Shofner called an attorney/client meeting hours later to inform council members that their action was a violation of the state's open meeting law, also known as the Sunshine Law, and that any action concerning would have to take place in a public meeting.

The letter from the council members stated that "we have the responsibility and authority to hire and terminate city managers."

"Since we are vested with that authority, it is our duty to inform you that your services as Shelbyville City Manager are no longer required, effective immediately," the letter said.

"At this time, we ask that you return all keys, records, and any other materials belonging to the City of Shelbyville. We also ask that you remove all personal property from the premises immediately."

Following the attorney/client meeting, councilman Stephenson told the T-G that the council members asked Craig to resign and when he refused, they presented him with the letter.

When asked why the members wanted Craig to resign, Stephenson said "because we are dissatisfied with his job." When asked to be more specific about the reasons, Stephenson refused to elaborate "at this time."

Mayor Wallace Cartwright and other members of the city council also had no comment on the letter.

The letter given to Craig last week also stated that any pay owed to the city manager "will be reviewed by the Shelbyville City Council members," however, this may be complicated by Craig's contract.

The employment agreement states that Craig can be terminated for "just cause," defined as the commission of any felonious act, illegal act involving personal gain or "malfeasance, misfeasance, or neglect of duty as set forth in the city charter of the City of Shelbyville."

The contract states that if Craig is terminated, or resigns at the city's request, then the city would agree to pay him his regular salary for six months and to continue payment of retirement benefits, as well as health, life and other insurance benefits.

Craig has a total salary of $79,955 a year, according to city documents.

However, if he was fired or resigned for "just cause," then the city would have no obligation to pay the severance or benefits.

According to the contact, which was amended in 2007 after an attempt by Stephenson and Cunningham to not renew Craig's contract, the city shall provide Craig 90 days notice of its intent not to renew the employment agreement.

If the notice is not provided in advance of Craig's employment term, which ends April 1, 2010, then the contract will remain in full force and extended an additional 90 days from the date that written notice is given by the city.

Craig was appointed as city manager in October 2000.