Claremore Appoints New City Manager, Questions Remain Concerning Previous One

Claremore residents are demanding answers after a new city manager was appointed after the previous one resigned.

For the time-being, the City of Claremore appointed John Feary as acting city manager, but many questions remained after the resignation of their previous city manager.

City councilors voted July 6 to give former city manager Jim Thomas a lump severance sum of $173,000. Thomas had only just started his contract last Wednesday.

City Councilmen Justin Michael was the only person to vote no on the issue. Michael said Thomas was being investigated for alleged workplace harassment that happened in June.

Thomas told News On 6, “I have enjoyed serving the City of Claremore over the past 8 years; however, the time has come for me to move on.”

Several people spoke at the meeting on July 6 expressing concern over the timing of Thomas’ resignation, the payout, and the investigation.

“Not one person in the community was agreeing with the settlement. In fact, all the city councilman, except for one, voted to give it to him out of fear and to protect whatever it is they're hiding on June 26 - on that investigation. We need to know what happen on June 26,” said Ashley Shaffer, a resident.

The City of Claremore has not yet commented to News On 6 about the investigation.