Villa Rica suspends Barber after talking termination | Times Georgian

During open comments, council member Stephanie Warmoth said she has become more familiar with the city charter and employee handbook during her few months in office.

“The motion to dismiss Tom as city manager is not one that I take lightly,” she said. “After much discussion with constituents, staff and department heads, I have come to realize that our city manager is not what’s best for Villa Rica.”

At the center of the disapproval is appointment of former mayor Gil McDougal to the deputy city manager post. Barber recommended the appointment and the council approved it 3-2 on Feb. 13.

Mayor Leslie McPherson, who defeated McDougal in the November election, fiercely and publicly protested McDougal’s appointment, making a public statement on her personal Facebook page stating that, according to the city charter, “No former mayor and no formal council member shall hold any compensation appointed office until one year after the expiration of the term for which he/she was elected.”

Barber recommended the appointment of McDougal and, according to City Attorney David Mecklin, council members could have made an alternate recommendation for deputy city manager prior to their vote. None of them did.

Mecklin also told the Times-Georgian that, from his understanding McDougal is still on paid administrative leave.

Council member Shirley Marchman was one of the council members who opposed firing Barber.

“I’m not in favor…