MURPHYSBORO - Mayor Ron Williams says city code enforcement officer Eric Kennedy has been suspended without pay for 30 days stemming from an alleged verbal attack on a local business owner last month regarding sign placement of her business.

Williams' decision followed a police department investigation into the alleged incident. Kennedy has been a city employee for 11 years.

The longtime employee was ordered also to undergo anger management counseling, officials said.

"This is one of those unfortunate incidents we have to take action. Eric is a very good employee and a tremendous asset to the city. But there are times his temper gets the best of him and we have to deal with it. Our job with the city is to be courteous to our customers," Williams said.

The length of suspension is 30 days that began Monday and ends Nov. 4. Williams said he will meet weekly with Kennedy during the suspension to gauge his progress.

In addition to employees within the city's code enforcement office, Murphysboro's retained engineering firm, J T Blankinship & Associates, and the city's attorney office will assume duties during Kennedy's absence.

The alleged incident involved the owner of a local restaurant who had posted business advertisements signs illegally around her neighborhood.

When she inquired in person at the city code enforcement office, it was reported Kennedy had verbally attacked her in front of several witnesses.

Williams later apologized to the business owner and ordered the police department to conduct an investigation of the incident.

Kennedy could not be reached for comment on the matter.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com / 351-5076