GROVELAND, Fla. — Groveland City Council members have decided to keep city manager Redmond Jones after months of debate.
City officials held an emergency meeting in September to evaluate complaints about Jones' job performance.
The mayor told Channel 9 he didn't want to have the emergency meeting, but a majority of the council did. In the end, Jones was allowed to keep his job on a 3-2 vote, but some residents disagreed with the decision, including one who called it a "kangaroo court."
"To me it sounds like you're wasting taxpayer money, wasting our time and mostly this council's time," one resident said.
Jones has held his position for two years and some council members think it's time for him to go.
"I like the man, but I don't like his policies," council member Mike Radzik said.
Radzik said Jones doesn't listen to other people's opinions about how to handle situations. He also doesn't think Jones has the experience to take the city to the next level.
Jones has been on the hot seat three times and his supporters said it isn't fair.
"The personal attacks have been going on with this man for last two years," a supporter said.
Jones said he deals with it because the town has a lot of opportunity and it draws him to stay. He said he's done a good job and his record speaks for itself.
Jones said he works 12-plus hours a day trying to bring in jobs and new businesses, and he said it's paying off.
"(There's been) $9.5 million worth of investment over a two-year period (and) new companies coming into our town," Jones said.
The mayor said they will have a meeting to outline their expectations for Jones in hopes of clearing things up.
Cox Media Group
