“You’re Fired”

By Aaron Storms

Gilpin’s own reality show

When interviewing Black Hawk’s City Manager, Richard Lessner, he stated “I will not comment on the circumstances at this time out of respect for those involved,” referring to the firing of four of his top city officials. Asked if this was in regards to his plans for the city’s future, he said that his silence was to prevent any additional speculation to what was already taking place after the word got out about the surprise termination Thursday of Police Chief Art Hutchison, Finance Director Mike Urie, Human Resources Director Julie Roeder, and City Clerk Deborah Yancy.

  Lessner said that these managers were hired as “at-will” employees, as are other city employees, and that no reason is needed to terminate them at any time. Each manager will receive severance pay equal to one month’s pay for each year employed by the city. The city will begin searching for replacements immediately.