Hopewell council removes city clerk in 4-3 vote as clerk and residents protest lack of documentation

The Hopewell City Council voted 4-3 to terminate the employment of City Clerk Bertie Williams, effective immediately, and to provide severance and benefits under her employment agreement.

During debate, Bertie Williams directly addressed the council, saying she had "done everything that y'all have asked me to do," and that she had not received any negative evaluations since her hire in 2023. Councilor Harris said she would not vote for termination without documentation: "I need to know where the failure is and where the opportunity to cure lies. And without that, you will not get a positive vote from me."

Supporters of termination argued the council had authority under the city charter and employment agreements to end contracts; opponents said the council had not been provided required evaluations and called the actions discriminatory and retaliatory. Several commenters and councilors warned of possible lawsuits and civil-rights claims if contract terms or evaluation processes were not followed.

The roll call for the clerk's termination was checked and completed amid confusion on the floor; the motion ultimately passed 4-3. Councilors who voted yes to terminate were the same four who voted to terminate the city manager earlier in the meeting. After the vote, members of the public and staff in the chamber reacted emotionally while council moved on to appoint an interim city manager later in the session.

The council did not announce or enter into public record specific written performance evaluations or the factual basis for the termination during the meeting.