A new lawsuit against Brown University has sparked debate about the secrecy of police departments at private colleges in the U.S. Such private police forces often don't have to disclose arrest records or incident reports. (AP Video: Rodrique Ngowi)
ANNISTON — The search for Anniston ’s next city manager enters a critical stage Wednesday, when candidates will be interviewed at the Anniston City Meeting Center, but the process has already stirred concern among incoming council members.
The position opened earlier this year when longtime city manager Steven Folks retired on April 10. The next day, Folks announced his candidacy for mayor. The council appointed City Clerk Skyler Bass as interim city manager on April 10 until a permanent replacement could be hired. Bass has been serving in both roles since then. “I am grateful to even be considered by the council. It is not a decision that I took lightly. I took my time and really thought it through,” Bass said after accepting the interim role. “My goal throughout this thing is just to make sure there's stability throughout the city during this time of transition with Mr. Folks retiring and the new council coming in.” People are also reading… At an April City Council meeting, then-Mayor Jack Draper said the current council’s intent was to let the next council make the permanent hire. “That’s really our thinking,” Draper said. “At this late stage in the game, we’ve got an election in four months, and the new council takes office in a little over seven months. It just makes sense for us to hire an interim and let the next council ultimately decide this question.” The city posted the city manager position on Aug. 11, seeking an “experienced and visionary” leader with a salary of $130,000–$160,000 and negotiable relocation expenses. Applications closed Sept. 10. Earlier this month, Mayor Ciara Smith confirmed that waiting to hire a new city manager was the council’s intent. However, Smith said Bass was ready to step down from her city manager duties. “I have convinced her to please stay until we can hire a new one by the beginning of October so that we don’t have to turn around and hire a new interim,” Smith said, adding that the council has “full authority” to “make any decision that they so chose regarding the city manager at any point and time.” Some members of the incoming council, however, expressed frustration that they were not included in the process. Erica Tolson, who won the Ward 2 council seat in the Sept. 23 runoff, said she was not familiar with the candidates and would have liked a chance to speak with them. “I just feel that we should have the opportunity to talk with the candidates before they're chosen. Give us an opportunity to at least speak with who they interview,” Tolson said. “From my understanding, there are three that would be interviewed. For someone, appointing anyone in that position, I really think that there should be a thorough look at the resumes. I would, since I'll be the person that will be working with the city manager for the next four years.”“Hiring a city manager is one of the most important decisions a City Council can make — it’s not just about filling a role; it’s about shaping how our city is led for years to come,” Moss said Monday. “That’s why I’m disappointed that, as a newly elected council member, I was not included in this process as I believed I would be. The previous council chose to wait, and I don’t understand the sudden urgency now to move forward before the new council members can weigh in. This approach doesn’t put our best foot forward and it risks sending the message that Anniston is still operating under the same old way of doing things.” During a candidate forum held in July, Moss told voters that “the new council will be hiring a new city manager. We have a chance to bring in a bold, accountable leader who will raise the bar on service efficiency and leadership across departments.”Thornton of Caledonia, Mich., reached out to the Star Monday afternoon saying he plans to drive 12 hours to Anniston to be interviewed in person. Thornton, who is currently self-employed, has experience as a county administrator and in city management, economic development and ecotourism. Thornton has relatives in the area. “The city knows I want to interview live and in person, they’ve not offered to pay my way, so I’m hopping in my wife’s minivan tomorrow morning about five in the morning, it’s a 12 hour drive,” Thornton said. He called Anniston “perfect,” citing its location between Atlanta and Birmingham and what he described as the city being “on the upswing.” According to The Daily Home newspaper on Monday, former Talladega City Manager Derrick Swanson told Talladega Councilman Shane Denney that he had applied for other city manager positions, including Anniston’s. He is among those chosen to interview for the Anniston position. Smith was Swanson’s executive assistant in Talladega while she was the Ward 2 councilwoman. Swanson was terminated as Talladega’s city manager on Monday morning by a 3-1 vote for failing to provide the council with a draft city budget at least 45 days before the start of the new fiscal year, Oct. 1. On Monday, former Anniston city manager, Kent Davis, said he applied for the current city manager position in February, but was not granted an interview. Davis said there was never an acknowledgment from the city the first time he applied. The process of naming a city manager was never made and the council decided to delay the process until the new council is seated. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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