Peabody fires public works director after just 6 months on job
Staff writer
Mayor Catherine Weems is refusing to provide details why the city has fired public works director Mike Jury after just six months on the job.
Both Weems and council member Linda Martinez, who made a motion to fire Jury on Sept. 8, said dereliction of duty and poor job performance were the reasons for Jury’s termination.
Asked for more details, Weems said she would not go into the reasons, adding that such things were private and belonged in executive sessions.
“It was not the first time he was warned about his performance,” Weems said.
She said the city had checked into Jury before hiring him.
Asked whether he had experience, Weems said, “That is what he told us.”
The City of Hutchinson Human Resources Department confirmed to the Record that Jury had been its wastewater treatment operator.
He once had sewer and water certifications but let them expire.
At Monday’s council meeting council members discussed job responsibilities and skills they are seeking in the new public works director.
Peabody wants a candidate able to manage a crew with less emphasis on water and sewer.