The sudden departure of Salisbury City Manager Doug Paris “by mutual agreement” with his bosses on City Council raises important questions. Why? What happened?
Citizens have a right to know what’s going on in City Hall. If the city had fired Paris, his letter of dismissal would be public record. But the contract termination that came at the end of a five-hour closed session Tuesday will likely produce a document that reveals little. Paris is out but in good enough standing to receive a severance package and a letter of recommendation. What gives?
Regardless of what sparked Paris’ departure, City Council faces the challenge of finding a new city manager just three years after longtime manager Dave Treme retired. In 2011, the city hired the Richmond firm of Springsted Inc., which recruited and screened 70 applicants from 23 states for the job. Despite that large field, the council chose “young Doug,” as Treme called him, then 28. Paris had been groomed for the job as assistant city manager.
Another broad search is in order now, this time without an assistant waiting in the wings. As the council proceeds, it should consider opening the process at some point to let the public meet finalists for the job. After this week’s mysterious development, citizens need to have confidence in the search process.
Coincidentally, Rowan County is about to get new blood, too. County Manager Gary Page is retiring in August and Commission Chairman Jim Sides will leave the board in December after losing the May primary. County Finance Director Leslie Heidrick has decided she does not want to become county manager, so the search is on for Page’s replacement. As for the next commission chairman, well, your guess is as good as any. The slate of candidates is unusually large.
All these changes sound like a lot of turmoil and uncertainty. But this could also be a time of opportunity. The friction between the commission chairman and city manager was no secret; it fed old city-county animosities and was a barrier to collaboration. Every move was suspect. Here’s a chance to wipe the slate clean, at least at the top level. Imagine what the city and county could achieve together if they started from a foundation of trust and mutual good will.
Doug Paris is a bright young man with a long future ahead of him. Whatever prompted the City Council to end his contract, let’s hope this experience has taught him and the city leaders some lessons.