Twin Cities seek city managers

By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
The search is now on for city managers on both sides of the Twin Cities.
South Fulton has been without a city manager since the December resignation of Jeff Vowell, while Fulton is now without a city manager in the aftermath of Friday’s resignation of Kenney Etherton.
Several interviews have been conducted in the search for South Fulton’s new city manager and the South Fulton City Commission will meet in called session Tuesday at 5 p.m. to discuss the hiring of a city manager.
Five applicants were interviewed last Saturday. They included one from South Fulton, two from Union City, one from Dyersburg and one from Martin. The field was narrowed to three applicants and a second round of interviews was held Tuesday night.
South Fulton Mayor David Crocker said he feels confident commissioners have decided on one of the candidates and they should make it official at Tuesday night’s called meeting when one of the applicants is hired.
A hire date has not been set, but Crocker previously indicated the commission hoped to have someone in place as soon as possible. Crocker has been serving as interim city manager since late December, when Vowell resigned to accept a position in the local banking business.
Across the state line in Fulton, Etherton submitted his resignation letter to the mayor and commission on April 1. He indicated he had enjoyed his time as city manager and said it was with regret that he submitted his resignation “for personal reasons.” It was effective immediately.
The Fulton City Commission met Monday in a closed executive session, where they accepted Etherton’s resignation and appointed city attorney Allison Whitledge as interim city manager until the position is filled. Her appointment was recommended by the Kentucky League of Cities since, under Kentucky statutes, a replacement cannot be an elected official.
Mrs. Whitledge apparently will continue to serve as city attorney while serving as interim city manager.
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Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by e-mail at cmenees@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 4.8.11

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