JENNINGS, Mo. — An emergency city council meeting has been called in Jennings following the resignations of several city leaders.
A total of five city leaders resigned this week including the city clerk, city attorney, account coordinator, department manager and the contractor in charge of building the new city hall.
The emergency meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Friday.
On the agenda, the city council will vote to declare the council meeting on Aug. 9 as "unlawful and ineffective." They will also vote to rescind any vote that occurred and offer to rehire anyone who subsequently submitted resignations.
In a resignation letter addressed to the city council, City Attorney Sam Alton called the actions of Jennings Mayor Gary Johnson "illegal, unethical, immoral, retaliatory and racist."
"Additionally, by the mayor’s own admission, his move to terminate my employment is retaliatory for my suggestion that the city obtain administrative warrants prior to towing cars from personal property," Alton said. "The mayor makes many unsupported, conspiracy-like allegations. I would suggest that you, as council members, ask for proof of his unsupported allegations in the future."
Hudson informed the mayor of her resignation in a Monday letter, citing a hostile and unethical work environment and mentioning a specific incident in which she was given the ultimatum to either discipline a staff member or be disciplined herself.
"Unfortunately, I am finding it difficult to continue in this work environment that lacks mutual trust and includes practices that go against my moral and integration beliefs," Hudson wrote. "The ultimatum I was given to discipline staff for something that I do not believe was her fault or I would be disciplined is something that I can't agree with. Your actions and directives have created a hostile, stressful and toxic work environment, one of unethical conduct that could lead to retaliation for not agreeing to certain unfounded and unethical behavior.
"Therefore, I cannot work in such an atmosphere. As a result, I am forgoing a two-week notice."
5 On Your Side walked into City Hall Wednesday and asked to speak with the mayor. They said he was not available for an interview.
Instead, the mayor provided the following statement:
“I have no comment on allegations.
"I am willing to send a statement on the successful tree grant program, ring camera distribution to residents, trash grants, emergency relief grant, demolition of derelict homes, and the new construction that is happening in Jennings. Also, the proposed youth center.”
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