Greenfield council votes to indefinitely extend city manager contract
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
During a special meeting called to discuss potentially advertising for a new city manager, the Greenfield City Council voted 3-2 to indefinitely extend the contract of interim city manager Betty Bishop, after several community members spoke in favor of Bishop, calling her ideas "brilliant" and saying she has brought community unity to Greenfield.
Council president Betty Jackman opened the meeting, held June 1 at the Greenfield City Building, by saying, "I want to put this to bed tonight. I personally want to extend Betty's contract."
Jackman then asked for comments by community members.
Larry Hayes addressed council, and said that he was a community member of the selection committee that reviewed potential city manager candidates, which ultimately recommended Bishop to the position last year.
Bishop was sworn in as interim city manager in December to replace former city manager Charley Bowman.
Hayes told council June 1 that Bishop was always a frontrunner to the committee members.
Hayes said the other selection committee members included Otis Wagner, Charlie Stephens, Steve Hunter and Sandy Smith, with council member William Redenbaugh, and initially reviewed all the submitted resumés and that "we all thought she was the best candidate."
The committee continued to look at other candidates, he said, after Bishop expressed that she wasn't certain about the time frame she could commit to the position. Bishop then agreed to a one-year contract.
"In talking to Betty now, she is willing to continue for an extended period," Hayes said. "Unless there is a reason not to. I think a break in city managers would be a detriment to the city ... I've seen her work in cities before, and I've seen her work now. I don't quite understand why we would be interested in searching again ... I certainly would give a vote of confidence to keep Betty in the position as long as she is able."
Otis Wagner told council that he is "in full support" of keeping Bishop, and Greenfield resident Sue Duffy said that she has never met Bishop but, "for the first time since I've returned (to Greenfield) there is hope. She has, if not brilliant, great ideas, and the energy to pursue them."
Greenfield resident Paul Orr also said he was in support of Bishop, as did council member Brenda Losey.
Jackman said, "Morale is up. I don't know why we need to even think about somebody else. We have somebody."
Redenbaugh said that he knows the search for a city manager is a tough and lengthy process, however "she herself was hesitant to commit (in December.) She reminded me how old she was. With each passing day we all get a little older. She has done some very good things, but I've got to think for Greenfield down the road. Folks, we've got to be honest. Time is not our friend. I don't want to jerk up roots and say, 'Betty, you don't have a job.' She has some very good ideas. Very useful. Those ideas can continue."
Redenbaugh said that he didn't want the city to "build an infrastructure" around a person who would not be here three to six years down the road.
It was later stated during the meeting that Bishop is 71 years old.
Jackman said looking for a new city manager would be "a waste of time and money" and that there was no guarantee that anyone would be here a few years into the future.
Council member Bob Bergstrom asked Jackman if she just wanted to take the "interim" out of Bishop's title, and she said yes.
Council member Harvey Everhart, who acknowledged he was the one who requested council meet to discuss advertising for a new city manager, said that when Bishop was hired it was on an interim basis.
"There are times I disagree with Betty's (way of) managing folks, but that's immaterial," Everhart said, but that he agreed with Redenbaugh that the city needed to look to the future and start planning for years to come.
Bergstrom asked Jackman if Bishop - who was not in attendance during the special meeting - was willing to accept the position for an extended period. Jackman said Bishop was "more than willing. She will work her heart out for us."
Jackman made a motion to "amend the current employment agreement with Betty Bishop to make appointment to the position of permanent city manager and authorizing the chairperson of council to extend the current agreement. This agreement will remain in place until such time Betty Bishop and/or the city of Greenfield enacts their right to cancel employment as per agreement."
Jackman, Bergstrom and Losey voted for the indefinite contract and Everhard and Redenbaugh voted against it. Jackman said that legislation would have to be drawn up and the matter would come before council again.
Following Greenfield's regular meeting, Bishop told The Highland County Press, "I just thank the people of Greenfield for putting their trust in me. I will work hard to bring back city unity and to try to make this as safe a community as it can possibly be."
During a special meeting called to discuss potentially advertising for a new city manager, the Greenfield City Council voted 3-2 to indefinitely extend the contract of interim city manager Betty Bishop, after several community members spoke in favor of Bishop, calling her ideas "brilliant" and saying she has brought community unity to Greenfield.
Council president Betty Jackman opened the meeting, held June 1 at the Greenfield City Building, by saying, "I want to put this to bed tonight. I personally want to extend Betty's contract."
Jackman then asked for comments by community members.
Larry Hayes addressed council, and said that he was a community member of the selection committee that reviewed potential city manager candidates, which ultimately recommended Bishop to the position last year.
Bishop was sworn in as interim city manager in December to replace former city manager Charley Bowman.
Hayes told council June 1 that Bishop was always a frontrunner to the committee members.
Hayes said the other selection committee members included Otis Wagner, Charlie Stephens, Steve Hunter and Sandy Smith, with council member William Redenbaugh, and initially reviewed all the submitted resumés and that "we all thought she was the best candidate."
The committee continued to look at other candidates, he said, after Bishop expressed that she wasn't certain about the time frame she could commit to the position. Bishop then agreed to a one-year contract.
"In talking to Betty now, she is willing to continue for an extended period," Hayes said. "Unless there is a reason not to. I think a break in city managers would be a detriment to the city ... I've seen her work in cities before, and I've seen her work now. I don't quite understand why we would be interested in searching again ... I certainly would give a vote of confidence to keep Betty in the position as long as she is able."
Otis Wagner told council that he is "in full support" of keeping Bishop, and Greenfield resident Sue Duffy said that she has never met Bishop but, "for the first time since I've returned (to Greenfield) there is hope. She has, if not brilliant, great ideas, and the energy to pursue them."
Greenfield resident Paul Orr also said he was in support of Bishop, as did council member Brenda Losey.
Jackman said, "Morale is up. I don't know why we need to even think about somebody else. We have somebody."
Redenbaugh said that he knows the search for a city manager is a tough and lengthy process, however "she herself was hesitant to commit (in December.) She reminded me how old she was. With each passing day we all get a little older. She has done some very good things, but I've got to think for Greenfield down the road. Folks, we've got to be honest. Time is not our friend. I don't want to jerk up roots and say, 'Betty, you don't have a job.' She has some very good ideas. Very useful. Those ideas can continue."
Redenbaugh said that he didn't want the city to "build an infrastructure" around a person who would not be here three to six years down the road.
It was later stated during the meeting that Bishop is 71 years old.
Jackman said looking for a new city manager would be "a waste of time and money" and that there was no guarantee that anyone would be here a few years into the future.
Council member Bob Bergstrom asked Jackman if she just wanted to take the "interim" out of Bishop's title, and she said yes.
Council member Harvey Everhart, who acknowledged he was the one who requested council meet to discuss advertising for a new city manager, said that when Bishop was hired it was on an interim basis.
"There are times I disagree with Betty's (way of) managing folks, but that's immaterial," Everhart said, but that he agreed with Redenbaugh that the city needed to look to the future and start planning for years to come.
Bergstrom asked Jackman if Bishop - who was not in attendance during the special meeting - was willing to accept the position for an extended period. Jackman said Bishop was "more than willing. She will work her heart out for us."
Jackman made a motion to "amend the current employment agreement with Betty Bishop to make appointment to the position of permanent city manager and authorizing the chairperson of council to extend the current agreement. This agreement will remain in place until such time Betty Bishop and/or the city of Greenfield enacts their right to cancel employment as per agreement."
Jackman, Bergstrom and Losey voted for the indefinite contract and Everhart and Redenbaugh voted against it. Jackman said that legislation would have to be drawn up and the matter would come before council again.
Following Greenfield's regular meeting, Bishop told The Highland County Press, "I just thank the people of Greenfield for putting their trust in me. I will work hard to bring back city unity and to try to make this as safe a community as it can possibly be."
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