Letter calls for removal of city manager and assistant city manager

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Marty Lawing (Credit: WINK News)

Fort Myers city workers are calling for the removal of both the Fort Myers city manager and assistant city manager.

An open letter signed on behalf of city employees was sent to council members, imploring them to remove the City Manager Marty Lawing and Assistant City Manager John Lege immediately.

The letter accuses the city manager and the assistant city manager of creating an environment of “Fear and retaliation.”

They warn the city council that “morale is at the lowest its ever been in the city.”

“You’re asking me to fire the city manager, to fire the assistant city manager. I have no facts. You’re anonymous. And, you know, I don’t know who you are. And I have no way of knowing if the things that are in that letter are factual,” said Teresa Brown, city councilwoman of Ward 1.

WINK News spoke with the mayor of Fort Myers, Kevin Anderson, about workers calling for the removal of the city manager.

“I read that letter,” said Mayor Anderson. “I don’t agree with what’s in there. And I went back, and I started reviewing the city manager’s evaluations from last year. And they’re good. There’s nothing that supports what’s been said in that letter. And I can tell you, I work daily with the city manager and have daily contact. I was really taken aback by those accusations.”

Council members that WINK News spoke to said they need evidence from the person or group of unnamed people who say they are city employees.

Some of the accusations listed in the letter are as follows:

Everyone is disappointed in him. Everyone thinks he’s clueless, disconnected, uncaring, a misogynist and a racist.

WINK News has reached out to both Lawing and Lege for reaction — but neither city leader has responded. WINK News also emailed the person who emailed the letter to city council members, but have received no response.

The mayor told WINK News he’s shocked and disappointed by the letter.

You can read the full letter by clicking here.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on air for any new developments on this story.

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