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Highlands Today

Avon Park fires city foreman

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Highlands Today Staff

Published: April 7, 2009

AVON PARK - The city of Avon Park has terminated its water and wastewater foreman Freddie Renfro and has given its longtime public works coordinator Ted Long the option to retire, resign or be fired, according to city officials.

Renfro was let go Monday, according to City Manager Sarah Adelt. Long is expected to give his answer within 21 days.

A memo from Adelt to Renfro dated March 17 states that disciplinary action against him was being considered due to incidents that happened on three occasions: a verbal confrontation with a resident, a physical and verbal confrontation with a former employee, and inappropriate conduct toward a co-worker.

The memo adds that Renfro pinched the co-worker Matthew Thompson with a pair of pliers and then brandished a knife.

Highlands Today contacted Renfro for this story and he had no comment.

Adelt's memo to Long, also dated March 17, states that he has not met expectations on managing the public works department and has not effectively supervised his working foremen and their subordinate employees.

Originally the city expected a response from Long by 5 p.m., Monday, according to Long's attorney Jim McCollum. Then the city wanted a response by 5 p.m., Tuesday.

McCollum noted that the city's paperwork included a clause stating that a reply is expected within 21 days.

"So now they have given us up to 21 days to make a decision," McCollum said Tuesday. "I don't want my client to sign an agreement if my client doesn't feel comfortable with it."

McCollum said he will discuss with Long what is best for him.

"I'm disappointed that Mrs. Adelt has taken this position, and I'm not going to comment on why she has done this," he added.

Long had recently sued Adelt over records, which Long had claimed Adelt had not provided him.

In the lawsuit, Long said he filed a written request with Adelt to examine all documents alleging any problems with his management of public works.

After she was advised that her notes were public record, Adelt said last month that she gave them to Long and his attorney.

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