PEORIA (25News Now) – Pekin’s new mayor said she is beginning the search for a permanent city manager to “come to our beautiful city” after the city council voted 4-3 Monday night to remove the recently appointed interim administrator for inappropriate conduct.
One council member who voted against the firing called the action a “political witch hunt.”
Mayor Mary Burress told 25News that the city’s human resources director and an employment attorney investigated allegations that interim city manager Bruce Marston displayed “inappropriate behavior” toward employees he was managing .
Marston is keeping his job as Pekin’s chief financial officer, which he held before the council appointed him to the position of interim city manager last November. A month earlier, the city council fired Marston’s predecessor, Mark Rothert, over the objection of then-Mayor Mark Luft.
Council member Becky Cloyd, who ran against Burress in the recent mayoral election, also criticized Marston’s removal.
“I have been on the board for two years and I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed by this decision,” Cloyd said.
“Bruce was not given a chance to make it right. He was not given a chance to make things right. He was not told about his infractions or allegations. This is an injustice. This is unacceptable Cloyd said.
“In the city of Beijing, you have to look at what’s happening in your city,” Cloyd also said.
Lloyd Orrick and Rick Hilst also voted no.
“I think there are several people around this decision who had other ulterior motives. I think it’s a political witch hunt,” Hilst said.
Mayor Burress, who voted for the firing, said that based on his actions, Marston can no longer manage city employees. He said the council’s job is to protect all city workers.
Despite the political disputes, Burress said she is still ready to unify the city.
Deputy Police Chief Seth Ranney is leading the city until Burress names the next interim administrator Monday night.
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