An unexpected change in administration in the City of Melville.
At last night’s (Mon) City Council meeting, Council voted 5-2 in favour of a recommendation to fire City Manager Ron McCullough, who had been in the role since February 11, 2019. Chris Bruce will be the acting City Manager.
Councilors Todd Brooks and Lori Kraft were the two opposed to the recommendation, while Councilors Joe Kirwan, Andrew Rondeau, Johan Van Zyl, Vince Thiessen, and Mayor Walter Streelasky voted in favour. Before the vote took place, Councilor Todd Brooks stated he’d never been more against something in his time in office than with the recommendation. Councilor Lori Kraft, who also was against firing McCullough, said as an employer, the City of Melville failed to do their due diligence.
When asked about why McCullough was let go, Mayor Walter Streelasky only said “a new direction”.
After the vote, McCullough was escorted out of the Council Chambers.
While the recommendation was made in the confidential portion of the meeting, Council can opt to have recommendations read and vote on them in open session, therefore making it public knowledge, which Council chose to do last night.
