CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s still no word on the future of Charlotte fire Chief Jon Hannan Wednesday, two days after a closed door meeting by Charlotte City Council members.
Hannan told a group of firefighters Monday night who’d come to support him that he hoped to know more Tuesday, but that hasn’t happened.
The decision about Hannan’s future with the fire department rests with city manager Ron Carlee because the city’s charter gives the manager, not the council, authority over hiring, firing and disciplining employees including the fire chief.
Sources said Carlee is taking City Council input into consideration as well as information he’s learned about whether Hannan was responsible for leaking a confidential memo from the personnel file of Fire Union vice president Marty Puckett.
North Carolina law said distributing such information is a misdemeanor crime with a maximum $500 fine.
Whatever Carlee decides, the issue comes at a critical time for the city.
Carlee has said he’s leaving his job as city manager in June, while Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Kerr Putney and Mayor Jennifer Roberts have been on the job for less than a year.
On Wednesday, city leaders were meeting to discuss Carlee's replacement.
Former council member Michael Barnes said turnover in top leadership could have negative consequences for the City of Charlotte.
“It’s not healthy because my fear is that good, strong people who you would want to attract to work for the city are going to be leery about coming here because of all the change,” Barnes said.
Dozens of firefighters gathered Monday night to show support for Hannan.
The meeting came after some council members raised questions and requested an investigation into who leaked a confidential city memo. Council sources told reporter Jenna Deery that leaking personnel material is considered a criminal matter.
The special session lasted about an hour, and following it, reporter Jenna Deery asked the chief about his status with the fire department.
“Guys, I don't know a thing,” he said. “Nothing was told to me. Maybe in the morning, but I just don't have a thing for you right now.”
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