Commentary
What most folks don't realize is that over the past 12 months there have been five different city managers running the city.
Dale Martin served 9 weeks before being fired in March. Former police chief Mark Foxworth was interim city manager for 52 days. Deputy City Manager Charlie George served his first stint as interim city manager for six months. Ty Ross was hired as the new city manager, lasted nine weeks and resigned last Friday. Ross couldn't overcome crashing his bike after getting drunk downtown and then never informing his bosses that police were called and drove him home. Now George is back again as the interim to guide the city.
The next steps in this revolving door of city administration leadership will be determined by the city commission Tuesday at 5 p.m. during a special meeting.
It's obvious to most reasoned people what needs to happen -- name George as the city's next city manager.
Fernandina Beach finds itself at a crossroads. Amid this uncertainty, George has emerged as a stabilizing force, having shouldered the responsibility of interim city manager not once, but now twice.
His city manager experience includes crafting the city's 2023-24 budget. George was deft in handling the protection of oak trees and historic sidewalk pavers on 8th Street negotiating with the Department of Transportation and property owners to implement solutions.
George's expertise as a coastal engineer means he is data driven when making decisions. He has the support of city department heads who have been absent a steady leader thru out this year.
Fernandina Beach needs a leader who can navigate the complexities of local governance with a steady hand, and George has proven his capability in doing just that. His experience as interim city manager has afforded him valuable insights into the inner workings of our community, enabling him to identify challenges and devise effective solutions. This familiarity with the city's intricacies positions him as an ideal candidate to lead Fernandina Beach through a period of transition and growth.
Moreover, George's dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to the community's well-being are evident in his actions. His leadership during these turbulent times has been characterized by a calm and measured approach, qualities that are essential for a city manager tasked with steering the ship through uncertain waters. In a time when stability is paramount, George's consistent presence has been a source of reassurance for both residents and city employees.
The alternative is conducting another city manager candidate search. The last one took six months and this time it could be longer because of the collateral damage from Ross' term in office. Highly qualified candidates may be more cautious about considering a role in our city with its recent history of managerial turnover. Recruiters will find it challenging to attract strong candidates due to concerns about the work environment, the city's commitment to ethical standards, and potential public relations challenges associated with the city manager position. City Commissioners will want to double down on their choice to make sure their next city manager selection is a "perfect" choice.
However, selecting George as the next city manager is not merely a decision based on expediency but one that aligns with the principles of continuity and institutional knowledge. Appointing George as the permanent city manager would provide stability that has been sorely lacking. It would also allow for a seamless transition, minimizing disruptions to ongoing projects and ensuring that the positive momentum gained under his interim leadership is sustained.
The critical question is whether Charlie wants the position or not since there seems to be conflicting stories as to his interest in the past. If so, will there be a need to promote/hire someone to be the Deputy City Manager? Lot’s of major issues to deal with in the near term. It will be interesting to see what happens Tuesday night and what Mayor Bean has up his sleeve since he thought he had it all figured out last time.
Has anyone done the math to see exactly how much of a costly mistake it was firing Dale Martin?
Did Mr. George apply? If not, why not? If yes, why wasn’t he chosen?
Please have Mr. George take over! Or maybe stop only hiring old white guys and branch out more;) Seriously, look at that line up.