The firing of Red Bank Police Chief Larry Sneed last Friday has sparked a firestorm of public protest over the weekend, and city officials are preparing for a packed and explosive meeting tonight at Red Bank City Hall.
More than three petitions circulating throughout Red Bank call the former police chief's dismissal unfounded and ask the decision be reversed.
"We the citizens of Red Bank, demand that Larry Sneed be reinstated as Red Bank police chief immediately with a contract and given a public apology," one petition read.
Red Bank City Commissioner Ruth Jeno, a vocal supporter of Mr. Sneed since his surprise ousting Friday, said she didn't start a petition but has signed them and supports them, hoping City Manager Chris Dorsey is swayed by the outcry.
"The petition and the gossip is widespread in the city," said Ms. Jeno, who is uncertain about how many community members have signed petitions backing Mr. Sneed. "It was the talk in the all the churches this weekend. ... People are angry, and they want this wrong to be set right."
Mr. Sneed, who was hired in 2003 to serve "at the pleasure" of the city manager, was fired from his post Friday afternoon for what Mr. Dorsey called in a memorandum, "management style, personnel skills and internal policy choices."
But lawyers for Mr. Sneed say his termination was brought on because a deposition he gave during Vice Mayor Monty Millard's civil divorce case was unfavorable to the commissioner.
Mr. Millard had been arrested twice since 2008 on charges involving his estranged wife.
"This firing occurred for one reason and one reason only," said attorney Bryan Hoss, one of two lawyers representing Mr. Sneed, in a news release.
The decision was disturbing and shocking to many city officials, including the Red Bank Mayor Joe Glasscock who said Mr. Dorsey's decision reeked of backroom politics.
Since the decision, he said he has received more than 50 telephone calls at his home over the holiday weekend and has been approached by dozens of people out in the community.
"There is a lot of public sentiment," he said. "I went out of Red Bank to eat at a restaurant today because I was so distressed."
The Red Bank Commission meets tonight, but nothing is on the agenda regarding Mr. Sneed's firing. Still, Mr. Glasscock said he expect many citizens to come out against the choice.
City Manager Chris Dorsey said he'll be ready for a combative crowd, but knows some people who have been affected by Mr. Sneed's management style also could be present to voice their side.
Because of the possibility of pending litigation, Mr. Dorsey wouldn't give specifics as to why Mr. Sneed's management style necessitated his removal. But said he could be free to speak about it after consulting with the city's lawyers today.
Regardless, Mr. Dorsey said no commissioners, including Mr. Millard, had any bearing on his decision. He did inform some commissioners about the firing before it was announced but he didn't consult with them before the decision was made.
"I try to keep the political aspects out of my decisions," Mr. Dorsey said. "Sure, some have political consequences, but I try to keep the politics out of it."