Cudahy : Ex-City Manager Fired

John Porter, who was demoted recently as city manager, has been fired by the City Council effective Sept. 30.

In a closed session, the council voted Sept. 16 to fire Porter, who has four years remaining on a contract that guarantees him $55,000 a year, plus a $6,000-a-year car allowance.

In a Sept. 19 letter sent to Porter, the council told him he will receive pay for his accumulated vacation time and three months’ severance pay “. . . in return for a fully executed release agreement of any and all liability arising from your employment and termination.”

Porter, 43, has not responded to the council’s offer, according to city officials. Porter, who was replaced as the city’s top administrator Aug. 25, could not be reached for comment.

During the Aug. 25 action, the council reappointed former City Manager Gerald Caton, who resigned under pressure less than a year ago.

Caton received a $78,000 settlement on his city contract. Four months before his reappointment, Caton had been hired as city clerk and director of Cudahy’s Redevelopment Agency at a salary of $60,000 a year.

He now serves as both city clerk and city manager at a salary of $60,000. He was hired on a yearly basis.