Compton : City Manager Staying

To silence a sudden City Hall rumor that City Manager Laverta S. Montgomery was on the verge of resigning or being fired, the City Council gave her a 4-1 vote of confidence Tuesday and talked of extending her contract for three years.

Montgomery said she didn’t know how the rumor got started, but speculated that it might have come from employees who are upset over the recently approved city budget, which contains sharp cutbacks that could eventually lead to layoffs. “She’s the best city manager that this city has ever had,” said Councilman Robert L. Adams, in seconding a motion from Councilman Floyd A. James that the group show its support for Montgomery, now in her fourth year as chief executive. Councilman Maxcy D. Filer, an occasional critic of Montgomery’s management, cast the lone dissent without elaboration.

Mayor Walter R. Tucker praised Montgomery for having “opened a lot of doors” for the city’s redevelopment. While “nobody’s perfect,” Tucker continued, Montgomery has brought a measure of stability to the city administration. “I’m just pleased that we’re not receiving a letter of resignation,” added Councilwoman Jane D. Robbins.