Live updates from the Manning City Council meeting deciding Shaffer's job status

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MANNING – Manning City Council is currently in a public special called meeting to decide whether to reinstate Blair Shaffer as the city's police chief or uphold a committee vote made last month to fire him.

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7:35 p.m.

Council voted to uphold the termination.

6:05 p.m.

Council has entered executive session.

6 p.m.

Mayor Pro-tem Sherry A. Welle and Councilman Clayton Pack have recused themselves. Mayor Julia Nelson also recused herself, though she would only have been able to vote to break a tie.

The other four councilmembers – Ervin Davis Sr., Julius Dukes Jr., Diane Georgia and Jonny Gordon – are present.

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They make up the three-person Public Safety Committee that voted to fire Shaffer, citing public safety concerns, which were reasoned in a termination letter dated July 11.

After Shaffer presented his objections to his firing to the Manning Municipal Grievance Committee on Aug. 2, that five-person committee of his peers issued a recommendation on Aug. 6 to reinstate him “due to the lack of notice of deficiencies to Mr. Shaffer prior to his termination.”

They recommended city council reinstate Shaffer with “all compensation and benefits as provided prior to the termination, subject to a two-week suspension without pay.”

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This is a developing story. The Sumter Item is on scene. Keep checking back here for updates as they come in.