The surprise dismissal of Grovetown Pubic Safety Chief Gary Jones has many in the community questioning the city on what exactly happened.
UPDATED ON 6: Grovetown Public Safety Chief Gary Jones Fired
Jones told News Channel 6 that he was fired during a meeting with the City Administrator and City Attorney. This coming after he sent Administrator Shirley Beasley an e-mail saying he did not feel supported in his role as police chief.Many are still trying to digest the fact that their new chief is gone. Some are wondering what really happened and want an explanation from the city about why he was let go.
“I’ve lived here 40 years, I think this is a crying shame,” said Raycine Haislip.
It didn’t take long for Haislip to go up to Grovetown City Hall to file a complaint the dismissal of Gary Jones.
“I’d like for somebody to explain to us what’s going on, why was he let go, what were the reasons behind that, and I think you have to have good reasons to fire someone on the spot and don’t tell them anything,” said Haislip.
She said she went to school with Gary Jones and has always known him as upstanding person.
“It seemed as though, he had only done good here in Grovetown since he’s been given the job, and we had seen some good things come about,” said Haislip.
Down the street, Frank Wilson is concerned about the city’s decision.
“I was shocked that they let Gary go. The years I’ve known Gary Jones, first class individual, the law is the law in his book, and he was just that way, straight-laced,” said Wilson.
As the owner of a business across from the Department of Public Safety, he says he’s seen firsthand Jones’ hands on service and involvement with his employees and the town.
“The morale of that police department was way up there and it wasn’t before because I know a lot of these officers personally by doing business with them and talking to them and I could tell the morale was up in that department,” said Wilson.
Wilson said there are many who want to hear from the city, but he doesn’t think it’s going to happen.
“There are a lot of disappointed people in this town because I think he had this department headed in the right direction,” said Wilson.
We did reach out to Mayor George James for comment on Wednesday. He said because there could be a pending lawsuit between the city and Jones, he would not comment on the issue.
“I’ve lived here 40 years, I think this is a crying shame,” said Raycine Haislip.
It didn’t take long for Haislip to go up to Grovetown City Hall to file a complaint the dismissal of Gary Jones.
“I’d like for somebody to explain to us what’s going on, why was he let go, what were the reasons behind that, and I think you have to have good reasons to fire someone on the spot and don’t tell them anything,” said Haislip.
She said she went to school with Gary Jones and has always known him as upstanding person.
“It seemed as though, he had only done good here in Grovetown since he’s been given the job, and we had seen some good things come about,” said Haislip.
Down the street, Frank Wilson is concerned about the city’s decision.
“I was shocked that they let Gary go. The years I’ve known Gary Jones, first class individual, the law is the law in his book, and he was just that way, straight-laced,” said Wilson.
As the owner of a business across from the Department of Public Safety, he says he’s seen firsthand Jones’ hands on service and involvement with his employees and the town.
“The morale of that police department was way up there and it wasn’t before because I know a lot of these officers personally by doing business with them and talking to them and I could tell the morale was up in that department,” said Wilson.
Wilson said there are many who want to hear from the city, but he doesn’t think it’s going to happen.
“There are a lot of disappointed people in this town because I think he had this department headed in the right direction,” said Wilson.
We did reach out to Mayor George James for comment on Wednesday. He said because there could be a pending lawsuit between the city and Jones, he would not comment on the issue.
