Council members, HR director concerned Fort Myers city attorney fired without their knowledge

There’s a battle brewing at Fort Myers City Hall over recently fired attorney, Terry Cramer.

More than a hundred city employees signed letters addressed to city manager Saeed Kazemi.

The city workers say they are shocked and bewildered by the abrupt removal of Chief Administrative Attorney Cramer, and say letting his removal stand is an abhorrent disservice to the City of Fort Myers.

“The leaders of the city don’t know anything about it. When was there an investigation? Was there an investigation? What happened,” Fort Myers City Councilwoman, Terolyn Watson said.

Cramer’s dismissal also came as a surprise to the City Council with many members saying they never heard anything directly from the city manager or City Attorney Grant Alley.

However, Alley sent Cramer a termination letter citing poor performance, lack of honesty and candor and refusing to comply with recommendations of the transition team.

Human Resources Director Ellen Clyatt also felt left in the dark by the firing, stating, “Human resources was not involved in any way, shape or form. I was informed of his termination when I got called from the department wanting me to cut off his access.”

Alley says the transition team put in place by the council made the call to get rid of Cramer as part of a restructuring of his office. That led council members to question the power of the team, which includes local business leaders and lawyers.

Cramer has now hired attorney Sawyer Smith, and he says something needs to change.

“This is what happens when the inmates run the asylum and we’re going to bring a change to that,” Smith said.

City Council did vote on a motion to dissolve the transition team of outside influencers, however, it did not pass.