Lore’ Chambers, who had served as assistant city administrator in Salisbury since 2008, has been fired by Mayor Jim Ireton.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that she confirmed her dismissal but declined further comment including what options she might take.
The paper reports that Ireton said state law precludes him from talking about personnel matters but emphasized that he took action according to the city codes and charter.
The Mayor said that he directly oversees Chamber and did not need permission adding that he consulted with City Attorney Mark Tilghman on Friday.
Shanie Shields
Meanwhile, Council member Shanie Shields said she witnessed the exchange on Friday in which Ireton fired Chambers.
While declining to discuss the issue citing Maryland personnel law she told the paper that “it was surprising”.
She also criticized the mayor for having the exchange in an office common area at city hall in front of other employees.
Shields said that Chamber’s departure represented another loss of institutional knowledge with the departure of John Pick as City Administrator.
Chambers came to Salisbury City government nine years ago as a grant writer and the paper reports had been thought to be a candidate to replace Pick who retired at the end of June.
Tom Stevenson, formerly the chief of the city neighborhood services department, is the interim city administrator.
