By By MIKE VOSS
mike@wdnweb.com
Contributing Editor
James C. Smith, former city manager of Washington, begins his new job as town manager of Farmville next week.
Smith announced his resignation as city manager in October. The announcement was made by the city in a news release Oct. 8. Smith spent five years as city manager.
Smith’s departure was not entirely unexpected.
In recent years, council members Doug Mercer and Gil Davis expressed their dissatisfaction with Smith, especially in the past two years.
At the City Council’s July 14, 2008, meeting, Mercer asked for Smith’s “resignation for gross insubordination.”
“If he were working for me as an individual, I would fire him,” Mercer said then.
In recent months, Mercer has made it clear he’s not been happy with how some city staff members have complied with some of his requests for information, saying he often receives no information or partial information. Mercer also has indicated he’s upset that specific instructions given by the council to city staff have been ignored.
Interviewed several days after the July 14, 2008, meeting, Mercer said, “This is not the first time (Smith) has not done what the council has asked him to do.”
Others praised Smith’s work as city manager.
“Jim Smith’s guiding hand has helped me tremendously in finding my way when working with the City of Washington,” wrote Beth Byrd, Washington Harbor District Alliance’s executive director, in an e-mail.
“From the time he arrived in Washington, Jim has been a strong advocate and supporter of the Downtown. Jim has always believed that we need a competent nonprofit organization to promote and foster the development of what we now call the Harbor District, and he has invested considerable personal and professional time in working with us to help our organization mature and prosper,” wrote Ross Hamory, WHDA president, in an e-mail. “His involvement was crucial in developing the Harbor Management Plan, creating the Washington Visualization and Reinvestment Strategy, starting the Little Washington Sailing Club and championing the redevelopment of old City Hall. Jim’s guidance and support have been key to making the Washington Harbor District Alliance a successful advocate for our Historic Downtown and its waterfront. The WHDA Board members and I wish him Godspeed, his counsel and commitment will be missed.”
Smith didn’t hesitate when asked to name his top accomplishments in his five years as city manager.
“The most important legacy I leave behind is the staff,” Smith said in an interview Thursday.
Smith, who becomes Farmville’s manager next month, counts improvements with the Washington Police Department among his other top accomplishments.
“When I came here, there was a lot of mistrust with the police department,” Smith said.
Now, there is more diversity in the department, which has a better reputation with all segments of the community, Smith said.
“Going to a community-oriented format is the key,” said Smith, acknowledging that the department’s Project Next Step has been an important factor in improving its relationship with the community.
The council hired Peter T. Connet, a veteran municipal manager, as Washington’s interim city manager. He began that job earlier this month.