Seeking A "New Direction," Canton Fires City Clerk

CANTON, GA -- The city of Canton is one department head short. That's because the City Council on Tuesday voted to fire its city clerk from the position she held for roughly five years.

Susan Stanton was let go by a unanimous vote of the council following a called meeting to enter into executive session for personnel purposes. The termination was effective immediately.

The city clerk serves "at the pleasure" of the mayor and council, said Mayor Gene Hobgood.

"Anytime they want to take a new direction, they have the ability to do so,” he added, referring to the 6-member Council.

Hobgood, who said Stanton's employment was under consideration "for some time," declined to provide to Patch a reason why she was fired.

“I don’t think it benefits anyone to elaborate on a lot of issues and to get into any back and forth," he added. “We are looking ahead to the future and that’s where we want to keep our our vision directed.”

City Manger Billy Peppers Stanton, who earned $61,265 annually, said he advised Stanton she could either resign or the Council would vote to terminate her appointment to the post.

While the position does not report directly to him, Peppers added he received no reports of performance issues related to Stanton.

Canton's elected officials are in the midst of reviewing the city clerk job description to determine if they want to make any changes to the roles and duties. In the meantime, Peppers aid the responsibilities are split between himself and his assistant. He also said any open records request submitted to the city clerk's office will be forwarded to respective departments to complete.

The city manager notes he hopes to advertise the position in the next week and schedule interviews as qualified candidates emerge.

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