GLADSTONE — A removal hearing for City Manager Darcy Long was rescheduled during a special Gladstone City Commission meeting Monday night.

“This request is from Mr. Long and in the interest to accommodate his right to due process I am making this motion,” Gladstone Mayor Joe Thompson said.

The city commission unanimously voted to reschedule the hearing to Thursday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m.

The Gladstone City Commission voted to begin the process of removing Long from his position at a special meeting on July 16.

Long was provided a notice in writing of the commission’s intent to seek his removal from office for misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance.

Misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance are types of failure to discharge public obligations existing by common law, custom or statute.

The hearing was originally scheduled to take place Monday night during the special meeting, however Long requested the hearing to be rescheduled.

Long did not attend the meeting Monday night.

A decision on termination will be discussed at the hearing.

Long is suspended until his hearing. Gladstone Public Safety Director Ron Robinson is acting as interim city manager until a more permanent interim city manager is selected.

No details were discussed on the reasons behind removing Long from his position at the meeting.

During public comment on the special meeting, city clerk retiree Linda Gray requested the commission null and void Long’s contract.

“I don’t know if this is the time for me to get up and speak or not. I was hoping that Mr. Long was here so that I’d like to say I feel sorry for you, but that would be like you saying sorry to me and 13 retirees who lost our health, dental and vision insurance. And it didn’t happen, so today it’s not going to happen to you Mr. Long,” she said.

Gray said her mother taught her that what goes around comes around and it is now Long’s turn.

Gray, like many other retirees of the city, have continuously voiced their frustrations with the city commission on its decision to cut their post-retirement health benefits.