Spring Lake set to hire town manager who was fired in Kenly
SPRING LAKE – Spring Lake’s likely next town manager was fired from her last position in a dismissal that made national headlines, but Spring Lake’s mayor said Justine Jones is well qualified with the leadership capabilities the town needs.
The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen voted 3-2 on Monday to offer the position to Jones with plans for her to start Oct. 24. The contract would have to be approved by the board, the town attorney, the state Local Government Commission and Jones.
The commission took control of Spring Lake’s finances last year when state officials became concerned that the town could not meet its financial obligations.
Two town board members oppose hiring
Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony said she would have liked for the vote to hire Jones to have been unanimous but respects board members Marvin Lackman and Raul Palacios for their votes against the hiring.
Mayor Pro Tem Robyn Chadwick and board members Sona L. Cooper and Adrian Jones Thompson voted to hire Jones.
Palocios said during the meeting why he opposed hiring Jones.
“I feel like there was somebody more qualified and has the experience the town needs at this time,” he said.
Anthony said she doesn’t think the opposing votes will be an issue for Jones.
“I just believe Ms. Jones is the best candidate,” Anthony said.
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Anthony said that in addition to her and the five board members, the town’s five department heads participated in interviews with prospective managers. The department heads were unanimous in their support for Jones and were excited about working with her, Anthony said.
“That weighed heavily,” she said.
Investigation in Kenly found no 'toxic work environment'
Anthony said an independent investigation cleared Jones of wrongdoing after she was terminated as town manager in Kenly.
The Kenly Town Council voted 3-2 in August to end Jones’ contract with the town, according to an Associated Press report. The vote came after the town’s entire police force and two other town employees resigned the previous month, saying Jones had created a hostile, toxic and stressful work environment.
Kenly Mayor Tooie Hales said an investigation didn’t find a toxic work environment, but Jones was fired because it was the “best way to move forward for the town,” the report said.
Anthony said the investigation in Kenly found that allegations against Jones were unfounded.
“I don’t believe that should be held against her," Anthony said. "It seems like she was the victim in this case rather than the violator.”
Anthony said she has some concerns about the optics involved with hiring a town manager who was recently terminated. But Anthony said that since she sometimes feels like she is blamed for incidents that happened before she became mayor, she understands the position Jones is in.
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“I can really empathize with Ms. Jones,” Anthony said. “I think this opportunity gives her a chance to showcase her abilities.”
Jones likely feels like she has something to prove and Spring Lake will give her an opportunity to move forward, Anthony said.
“Like Spring Lake is working hard to repair its own image, she has the chance to do the same thing,” Anthony said.
The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to name Fire Chief Jason Williams as acting town manager. Interim Town Manager Joe Durham’s contract ended last month.
Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Spring Lake to hire manager fired in Kenly after police force resigned
