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Here Come the Nice

Wednesday, March 14th, 2007

Um, could we call this a lateral career move? [Emphasis mine:] Chesapeake native named new city manager By SUZANNE TATE AND JANETTE RODRIGUES The Virginian-Pilot March 14, 2007 CHESAPEAKE - William E. Harrell, a native son and the next city manager, knows the power of being nice. In 1980 his classmates voted him friendliest among the Great Bridge High School seniors. Twenty-five years later, Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder noted Harrells reputation as a nice person as one reason he backed him to become that citys chief administrative officer. Chesapeake council members also called him prepared and driven Tuesday after announcing that he was their choice for city manager. He will begin work June 1. Councilman Cliff Hayes said Harrell has the experience, focus and interest the city wanted. Harrell was one of three candidates interviewed for the job in person. He came to Chesapeake on Saturday. There were 11 candidates for the job, chosen in a national search. When you get right down to it, it was a perfect fit to have him, because of his experience and his qualifications, Hayes said. Harrell holds two masters degrees from the University of Virginia and has 17 years of municipal experience. He has worked for the cities of Suffolk, Greensboro, N.C., and Richmond. Harrell, who could not be reached on Tuesday, will earn $165,000 per year. Hayes is most impressed with how Harrell eliminated duplication in Richmond. He found the funds needed to do large projects, as well as providing taxpayers a substantial real estate tax rollback, Hayes said.

No offense, but do you think the councilman might be overstating Harrells list of R-town accomplishments just a wee tad? As for our mayors affection for his departing chief administrative officer, thats mighty debatable. Its a badly-kept secret that Doug Wilder and the nice William Harrell have been at loggerheads for some time, and there have been rumors for weeks that Harrell was on the outs. This would certainly confirm that. In related news, I spent a week in Chesapeake one night.