Out

City cuts ties with city manager

About Town – TUESDAY, 10/14/25

So, Scott Carney is out as Lodi city manager. The unanimous decision to cut ties with him came six months after he was sent home on paid admin leave. The saga began on April 1 when Carney read a statement at a public meeting accusing city employees of widespread credit card fraud, among other allegations. An independent investigation found no evidence of fraud or attempted fraud by city employees. The mayor said the separation process will take 30 days because Carney’s employment contract calls for a month’s advance notice of intent to terminate. Since notice has now been given, some insiders with knowledge of the situation say negotiations will commence between the parties to see if the matter can be settled without a court duel. Shortly after he was suspended Carney hired a Bay Area law firm, who sent a letter to the city claiming their client had whistleblower status. If the matter does go to court, it will be expensive. Legal costs could top $1 million for each party, according to a local attorney familiar with employment law. But here’s the rub: whoever prevails will be entitled to recoup their attorney’s fees from the losing party, according to Carney’s employment contract. Ouch. Carney served for 10 months at the helm before things went off the rails. However, some say Carney started the job with one foot in a bucket. He was hired by a split city council. The vote was 3-2, meaning he was on the bubble from the start. It’s also no secret within City Hall that an employee panel that interviewed all candidates for the job gave Carney no votes. However, a community panel loved him. The next few weeks could tell the tale of how this saga will end.

OVERDUE: Holy late fees! Retired Lodi Unified school teacher Rod Woznick received an interesting package in the mail recently. It came from one of his former students, who now lives in Florida. Inside the package was a geometry book that Woznick had apparently loaned to the student—40 years ago. Talk about overdue books! Inside the book was a