Grand Terrace fires acting city manager
By
PE News on July 29, 2009 3:10 PM

The Grand Terrace City Council on Tuesday fired embattled Acting City Manager Steve Berry and replaced him with the city's finance director.

The 4-0 council vote to fire Berry followed a closed session that lasted more than an hour. Councilman Jim Miller abstained.

Following Tuesday night's closed session, Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre read a brief statement, but would not elaborate.

"The decision by the council is not intended to reflect on Steve Berry's integrity or skills," she said. "The council feels, however, that under the current circumstances it is impossible for Steve to provide the leadership of staff and the city necessary to continue as city manager."

The council has been on damage control after recent revelations that the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department investigated allegations in 2002 accusing Berry, then the assistant city manager, of embezzlement and fraud in connection with the tinting of windows at city buildings by a jail work release inmate.
—Darrell R. Santschi dsantschi@PE.com