"Either way he is going to get his money"

That's what the Mayor was quoted as saying in advance of tonight's City Commission meeting. The Mayor is preparing to ask the City Commission to terminate the City Manager's contract nine months early. The Mayor has asked the City Auditor to audit Manager Avael's sick leave and vacation time. It is clear that the Mayor wants Avael gone, but what do you suppose is really going on behind the scenes?

We suspect that it's not just that Mayor McPherson believes that Manager Avael is not being effective as a City Manager any more. What was the straw that broke the Mayor's confidence in Avael. Was it the replacement-of-the-code-enforcement-officer flap? If Avael does get the axe, who will take his place? Oh yes, we know there is the Assistant City Manager, but there has to be more to the story. Whatever the full story is, unless the City is careful, it will likely impact the search for the next City Manager.