City Manager Suspends Hiring of Personnel
At the request of several council members, City Manager Phil Hawkey has halted efforts to recruit a new fire chief and three other top city officials.
The council members, led by Mayor Chris Holden, said they want to postpone hiring personnel until an investigation is conducted into allegations by Hawkey that the council was attempting to create a system of political favoritism and reverse discrimination in City Hall hiring.
At Monday’s meeting, Councilman William Paparian called the accusations “ridiculous.”
An attorney representing Hawkey made the allegations in a Dec. 15 letter at a time when the city manager had been informed that the majority of the council wanted him dismissed. In the letter, Hawkey’s attorney demanded a $1.5-million settlement to avoid litigation. The council on Dec. 20 decided to keep Hawkey until his contract expires in 1999.
Hawkey on Monday delayed hiring a new chief, assistant city manager, planning director and personnel director.
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