Local News - January 2004

Town manager fired by Maiden council

Published January 7, 2004

By AMY WADSWORTH, Staff Writer

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MAIDEN— The Town Council of Maiden fired its manager Monday in a 4-1 vote.

In a closed session the council voted to fire Herman Caulder, who has held the post for two years. Caulder was out on sick leave and was not present at the meeting.

Mayor Zane Hudson said Caulder was not measuring up to the town’s standards.

“He was not up to the expectations with the council,” Hudson said. “There are a few things he hadn’t done and we chose to dismiss him.”

Hudson said Caulder had been spoken to before about some concerns, and that the dismissal was not related to his sick leave.

After the closed session, the council asked Kevin Sanders, administrative assistant for the town, to fill in as interim town manager until a new manager is found.

“I was told that Herman had been dismissed and they asked me to do it so I did,” Sanders said.

Sanders has been with the town of Maiden for 25 years an has served as interim manager in the past.

“He is very knowledgeable and can do the job,” Hudson said.

In a telephone interview, Caulder said the action was a big surprise.

Caulder said he was out of medical leave from work and was not supposed to return to work until Jan. 13.

“They basically held a closed session and fired me while I was out under doctor’s care,” he said.

Caulder said he also had a discussion on the telephone with the mayor the day of the dismissal in which Hudson said he was pleased with Caulder’s job performance.

Hudson admitted he did speak to Caulder on the telephone and was always commenting on Caulder’s good job performance.

“He knows his stuff,” Hudson said. “He has done a good job up to this point, there are just some things that were not followed up on.”

As for the other reasons of Caulder’s dismissal, Hudson, Council members Brad Shelton and George McClellan declined comment on the firing.

“We agreed that Zane would make all the comments,” McClellan said.

Hudson said they are beginning to advertise for the position and will accept applications through Feb. 13.

The salary of the position is right at $55,000, Hudson said.

Hudson said he would like the new town manager to have the quality skills require of the job.

“We want someone with a good educational background and leadership skills,” he said.

Hudson said he never enjoys letting someone go.

“I wished him the best,” he said.

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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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