Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ The long expected chickens finally came home to roost Tuesday evening at 217 North Main as City Manager Doug Paris, 30, was “mutually terminated” after a 5 hour closed-session at city council. His termination becomes immediately effective. John Sofely, a long-time assistant manager, steps in as interim manager.
Doug Paris’s termination came as no surprise here. His removal was strongly desired by many city employees and persons in the city’s business, banking, and legal communities who witnessed firsthand the city’s mishandling, the reprisals against persons speaking out or bucking city hall, the many long-time employees wrongfully terminated. Add to this list: the cover-ups concerning the Fibrant debacle recently high-lighted by Moody’s downgrading of the city’s bonds. More and more persons were acknowledging the city’s financial condition and its diminished city services including our understaffed police and fire departments.
What finally broke “the camel’s back” and led to the use of the hygienic employment term: “mutual termination”? Was it the growing weight of disinformation fed the city council? Defects in personality in dealings with city personnel and county officials? The loss of the County Airport through de-annexation? The failure to deliver 329 S. Main as the school Central Office? Or dozens of other failings?
At around 11 p.m. last night word got out that city council unanimously (Councilman William “Pete” Kennedy was absent) voted to end Mr. Paris’s contract. Mayor Paul Woodson, Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell, and council persons Brian Miller and Karen Alexander voted for what was later called “mutual termination”. Council filled the ex-city manager’s position with new interim city manager John Sofely.
It’s been said elsewhere that Mr. Paris parted ways with the city by “mutual agreement”. Sources downtown tell us otherwise. It was a decision likely prompted by many months of complaints from various segments of the community concerned about the city’s direction, the city’s financial crisis, and the glaring lack of important city services.
Early this morning the rumor mill was swirling in Salisbury. Would the city go out and obtain an executive recruiting firm and actually follow their direction instead of burying skeletons in City Hall’s closet? Will Randy Hemann, the former DSI head and now city manager in Oxford, N.C, make a triumphant return? No one really knows, but for now long-time city assistant manager John Sofely is in charge.
Our hearts go out to the many city employees and individuals who suffered or lost their jobs during the city manager’s time in office. We especially thank all those city employees, both former and present, who spoke with the Rowan Free Press about what was happening in City Hall. We will continue to support you and hope for the best possible outcomes for you and the City of Salisbury.
