Roger Simmons, the former superintendent of the Glasgow Department of Public Works, talks to another city employee during a meeting of the Glasgow City Council. Simmons was terminated for an unknown reason on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
(WCLU NEWS FILE PHOTO)
By BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — The superintendent of the city’s Department of Public Works has been fired.
Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse issued a letter last Friday to Roger Simmons, the then-superintendent, and notified him of his termination. It was effective Jan. 20.
“The reason for your removal is that, in my judgment as Mayor, the efficient operation of the department of public works cannot be best achieved by your continued leadership of this department,” the letter said.
Royse issued a series of rehires fewer than three weeks ago upon his taking office. Those rehires were an act of formality. All city employees were “rehired” under the new mayor’s administration. Simmons was included in that list.
Simmons was the highest paid employee within the city government. He was hired under the administration of previous Mayor Harold “MD” Armstrong. His salary, obtained in an open records request last summer, was $84,000.
Royse also handed down a termination for Shawn Simmons, a relative of Roger’s and the former assistant landfill manager.
WCLU News sought comment from Royse late Tuesday afternoon to no avail. It’s unclear who will be placed in those positions.