The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board voted 3-2 to terminate director Clay Lindstrom's contract, effective immediately.
He was terminated without cause after several board members said that they lost confidence in him as a leader. He will receive 3 months severance which is about $39,000 total and then they voted to give him an additional 6 weeks severance.
He was director for 2 1/2 years.
Lindstrom was not allowed to speak during the meeting to explain or defend himself.
There were more than 50 people at the meeting, many of them utility employees who took vacation or lunch time to be there.
15 people spoke during public comment, all praising him. Some were employees, others worked for the city or were just friends of Lindstrom's. They complimented his leadership skills and team building. Some employees talked about how he opened his home for Thanksgiving dinner, and there were many mentions of the 'parties' at his house that everyone enjoyed.
In an interview after the meeting, Lindstrom told News Channel 5, "My integrity will stand firm. I’ve done nothing wrong. I have taken this utility farther than anyone had before.”
John Tompack who works for FPUA will take over as interim director.
Board vote:
Glynda Cavalcanti, Chairman- yes to terminate
Daniel M. DeIulio, Vice Chairman- no
Michael A. Perri, Jr., Deputy Secretary- no
Darryl Thomas-Bey, Secretary- yes
Linda Hudson, Mayor- yes
The two board members who voted no said they were very surprised. Daniel Delulio pointed out that they never did a performance evaluation on Lindstrom- even though it was supposed to be done annually.
Lindstrom was the director for two and a half years. He was not given an opportunity to speak or respond.
BREAKING: FPUA votes 3-2 to terminate contract of director Clay Lindstrom. @WPTV@FOX29WFLXpic.twitter.com/krtFHqWRy0
— Stephanie Susskind (@StephanieWPTV) July 13, 2017