In response to the statements Mr. Sharon made to the Press last week concerning his termination from the Town of Monument employ, you have heard one side of the story. Many people have developed misleading interpretation of the events.
Mr. Sharon was terminated per the agreement in which he and the former mayor of our town together wrote over one and a half years ago. It was very generous to Mr. Sharon and in exchange, he was willing to be terminated at any time with or without cause.
From Mr. Sharon’s own statements to the press last week, you can see that he and his supervisor, the Town Manager had differences in how to conduct Town business. Mr. Sonnenburg, the Town Manager, spent considerable time and effort working with Mr. Sharon. The matter became a personnel action. Being prudent, it was determined that because of this termination agreement signed by Mr. Sharon and the former Mayor, only the Board of Trustees could take such action. Upon the Town Manager’s request, the Board took action to terminate Mr. Sharon according to the agreement. Further, the Board wanted to make no public statement to hurt any of the parties involved and stated to Mr. Sharon that the Town would honor the agreement aforementioned.
Common fairness demands that we consider both sides of the story. However, the Town Attorney advised the Town to make no statements as to the separation of Mr. Sharon pursuant to the agreement. Any statements made can hurt the Town when such statements can be used against the Town. This matter is a personnel matter between the Town Manager and one of his employees. We want the Town Manager to supervise and get the most from our employees in their work day. Standard management practices indicate that one supervisor is in charge, and that such person hires and fires all employees. The Town is aspiring to implement this concept.
Mr. Sharon’s statements to the press last week have caused some agitation in the community. However, I have no malice towards Mr. Sharon and I wish him well in all his future professional endeavors.
As always there exists in every political community a small group who wants to make political mileage out of any public embarrassment. The question each person must ask, how does it help our town and our community by participating with them in negative actions? Can not we turn such energy in doing good works for our community? As for me, I will participate this weekend in Great American Cleanup by helping to clean up the highway near our Town as a small token of penance for my part in arousing such passions in a purely personnel issue.
Leon W. Tenney
Mayor
Town of Monument