Thornton out as Southport city manager

Southport needs a new city manager. Mayor Robert Howard confirmed Alan Thornton quit his job during last night’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

The State Port Pilot reports the board accepted Thornton’s resignation by a 5-1 vote after an hour-long closed session.

The Board named City clerk Regina Alexander interim manager. The Board also recessed its meeting until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, when it will begin discussions on finding a new city manager.

Mayor Howard would not tell us why Thornton resigned. When we asked the mayor if Thornton had submitted a written resignation, he refused to answer the question.