An attempt by two Bethel City Council members to suspend City Manager Peter Williams failed on Tuesday night. The debate became heated when Council members Raymond "Thor" Williams and Vice Mayor Fred Watson raised concerns over Peter Williams' job performance... and it took place in public view.
The debate was initially listed for an Executive Session as a personnel matter, but Peter Williams requested that the issue be discussed in public.
Among the concerns raised by Council members Williams and Watson were the hiring process for the Chief of Police, and whether the City Manager was prompt enough in providing financial records to the Council. They proposed a two week suspension.
The motion failed 5-2 after Council members Leif Albertson, Mayor Richard Robb, Mitchell Forbes, and Mark Springer spoke in favor of Peter Williams as City Manager. The dissenting Council members said that they trusted Williams, and that a suspension of this kind would be an inappropriate course of action.