SAULT STE. MARIE — Jon DeRoo only worked as the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority Director for a few months before he was fired on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The decision was made during a contentious special meeting of the DDA Board of Directors after they received reports and complaints about DeRoo’s behavior. Many business owners, residents and community members attended the meeting, with some people speaking in support of DeRoo and others criticizing him.
“He’s done more for this city in three months than the seven people at this table have,” said Charles Goff during the public comment section of the meeting.
DeRoo has been accused of making aggressive and unprofessional comments towards a DDA board member, some business owners and others.
DeRoo has denied these accusations, saying that he never swore or made aggressive comments.
“We have heard from multiple of our partners that there have been negative and inappropriate comments made by Jon,” said DDA board member Wilda Hopper. “Multiple directors of other programs have come to us in regards to him. This is just inappropriate, it is not OK.”
The board voted against reprimanding DeRoo, and ultimately voted 4-3 to fire him.
DeRoo began working for the DDA at the end of July. The position had been empty for over a year and a half following the departure of Stephanie Sprecker. The city is now tasked with starting another search for a DDA leader.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault’s DDA director fired after back-and-forth meeting
Reporting by Brendan Wiesner, Sault Ste. Marie News / The Sault News
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