GUYTON — According to attorney Joey Turner, the City of Guyton is guilty of speeding. On Monday, Guyton officials announced that Sgt. Kenny McDonald of the Port Wentworth Police Department has been named the city's public safety director. Turner's client, Capt. Stacy Strickland, was terminated from the post last month and is awaiting to have his appeal of the decision heard. "The City's actions are hasty and show a reckless disregard for the due process of law," Turner said in a statement sent to Guyton officials. "Captain Strickland has rights granted by the U.S. Constitution, the Georgia Constitution, and the City of Guyton's City Code to have a formal hearing before the full Council before his termination is made final. The City's actions in hiring a new Director of Public Safety while this process is ongoing is an affront to my client's legal rights. "It is also unfair to Sgt. McDonald, a fine law enforcement officer that has been thrust into this situation by his premature hiring." After being placed on administrative leave on June 25, Strickland was terminated July 18 following an investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office into a matter involving Officer Michael Clark, who was suspended. "At this time, Captain Strickland continues to maintain his innocence of any wrongdoing," Turner said. "We look forward to exercising all of his legal rights, and we will pursue legal action to make sure that the City does not trample upon them." See the Aug. 8 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.