SOUTHPORT — Two employees in the City of Southport’s community relations department and another in animal protective services were suspended without pay on Oct. 27.
The suspensions include Randy Jones and Sydney Heil, community relations, and Kate Marshall, animal protective services.
According to a Wednesday press release from the city, the details of the suspensions are still under investigation by the city.
The State Port Pilot is reporting the suspensions are “related to the installation of video doorbell cameras at the Southport Community Building and Indian Trail Meeting Hall, according to sources.”
Port City Daily reached out to city manager Bonnie Therrien and Mayor Joseph Hatem for details on the suspensions, who both said they could not comment on personnel matters. PCD asked Therrien if the police were involved in the investigation, to which she declined to comment.
Hatem told the State Port Pilot an outside investigation will be conducted this week and the employees will be suspended until it concludes.
The mayor also told the outlet the suspension “had nothing to do with the performance of their job,” yet he recommended the three be placed on probation and allowed to continue their jobs. As city manager, it’s Therrien’s authority to hire and fire personnel.
PCD also reached out to the Southport Police Department for details. No response was given by press.
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