Two More Officials Quit Posts in Carson

Two Carson department heads announced their resignations this week, which will leave half of the city’s eight executive management positions vacant by the end of the month.

One of them, Personnel Director Don Rae, announced Monday that he will take a similar position with the city of Norwalk. On the heels of Rae’s resignation, Public Works Director Ben Minamide said Thursday that he is leaving the city to work for a private consulting firm.

City Administrator Jack Smith, who had hired Rae and Minamide, announced his resignation last month after the City Council balked at giving him a long-term contract.

The fourth vacancy is the post of Parks and Recreation director, unfilled since Howard Homan retired under pressure in November. Smith, whose resignation is to take effect Feb. 28, has been serving as acting parks director and is believed by many to have been instrumental in Homan’s departure.

On Tuesday, the City Council appointed Public Safety Director Larry Olson to serve as acting city administrator. The council has yet to adopt recruitment procedures for the selection of a permanent replacement for Smith.

Deputy City Administrator Scot Yotsuya said Thursday it is unclear who will assume the responsibilities of Rae and Minamide.

Rae was hired as Carson’s personnel director almost two years ago, after serving in a similar job for more than six years in the Bay Area city of Richmond. His resignation was effective Thursday.

Minamide, hired in October, 1989, had worked in Pomona as director of public works for eight years. His resignation takes effect Feb. 28.