Atlantic Beach mayor: Fire city manager, attorney

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – Atlantic Beach Mayor Carolyn Woods is pushing legislation to fire her own city manager and city attorney, she says because of constant complaints she heard on the campaign trail.

"Atlantic beach is made up of nice people," Woods said. "It's disconcerting when a few people are concerned with their city officials, but when you put together all the poepole that came to me during the campaign and talked about it, it's really quite tragic."

Woods was elected mayor in August and says multiple people have told her they're unhappy with the city for a variety of reasons. So she wants to fire longtime city manager Jim Hanson and city attorney Alan Jensen.

"I think it's wrong for Carolyn Wood to try and terminate two long-term employees who have done an excellent job, and I think it's wrong," Atlantic Beach resident Lindley Tolbert said. "She's trying to run city like a fiefdom and says she personally does not like Jim Hanson and tried to get Alan Jensen fired."

Hanson wouldn't offer an opinion, only saying it's "not appropriate to speak" and he's "ready, willing and able to continue to work here."

This will all be hashed out Monday night as the city commission takes up this issue.

Tolbert said the mayor has never given a concrete reason for pushing for this.

"People have said, 'Tell me one reason,' and she cannot. It's personal," Tolbert said.


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.