DeBary starts over after choice for manager declines job

SOURCE: CITY OF DEBARY
Agenda item — This item from the agenda for tonight's meeting of the DeBary City Council (Sept. 2) indicates a discussion of the city-manager opening is planned.

Discussion scheduled for Sept. 2 meeting

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Sep 2, 2009 - 6:29:46pm

The item on the DeBary City Council agenda for today, Sept. 2, was "Kenneth Weaver Employment Agreement and Appointment as City Manager."

That item is moot, however; the City Council was expected to review other applicants instead.

Weaver, of Johnson City, Tenn., accepted the DeBary manager job last week. Over the weekend, he declined the appointment amid debate about his employment history.

Mayor Bob Garcia had said he would sign Weaver's employment contract only "under protest."

As staff at City Hall began background and employment checks, residents were doing their own checking, and finding less than stellar reviews from Weaver's past two employers: Eunice, N.M., and Spring Hill, Tenn.

On Aug. 30, DeBary Vice Mayor Norm Erickson told The Beacon Weaver had declined the DeBary appointment. He did not state a reason.

The city has received a lot of e-mails and phone calls asking the council to reconsider Assistant City Manager Anthony Gonzalez, Garcia said. They've been saying Gonzalez "is the right choice for the City of DeBary as city manager."

Gonzalez, who has been acting city manager, turned in a 30-day notice of resignation after Weaver was chosen.

When asked if he would broach the subject of offering the job to Gonzalez, Garcia said he was going to wait to see what other City Council members say.

Garcia said he doubts Gonzalez would accept.

Garcia said Gonzalez and other city staff were unhappy about micro-managing by the City Council, and about a proposed cut in health-insurance benefits.

Gonzalez also was criticized by Council Member Van Conoley about his oversight of budget matters.

Erickson said he expected Garcia to bring up Gonzalez for the job. Erickson said he is also waiting to see what developed at the meeting.

The Beacon was unable to contact Gonzalez for comment.

To listen to the DeBary City Council meeting online, go to the city's Web site.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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