Mark Mayhew v. Town of Smyrna, Tenn.

OPINION

GRIFFIN, Circuit Judge.

Mark Mayhew alleges the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee, and its city manager, Harry Gill, terminated his employment in retaliation for engaging in two distinct acts protected by the First Amendment: reporting violations of federal and state regulatory requirements at the town’s wastewater-treatment plant; and voicing concerns regarding Smyrna’s hiring practices. The district court disagreed and entered summary judgment in defendants’ favor. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

I

Plaintiff was a long-time employee…