Greensboro city manager fired by council

GREENSBORO — Greensboro City Council has voted to fire its city manager, an employee who has worked for the North Carolina city nearly 26 years in different jobs.

The News & Record of Greensboro reported that the council voted 5-4 Tuesday night after a closed session to fire manager Mitchell Johnson. The council didn’t specify why Johnson was fired, but one member said the city’s government needed a fresh start.

Under an agreement by the council, Johnson will work for the city in another position until July 15 and continue to receive his $179,000 salary. After his job ends he will get six months of benefits and severance pay.

Bob Morgan was Johnson’s deputy and was appointed acting city manager.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)