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Chris Nabicht — Former Deltona firefighter Chris Nabicht, wearing a firefighter's shirt in this undated photo, is now a Deltona city commissioner. He said he asked City Manager Faith Miller to resign. She did.
New leadership needed at the top, Nabicht says
By Pat Andrews
posted Feb 6, 2013 - 4:41:47pm
Deltona City Commissioner Chris Nabicht said it was he who suggested Deltona City Manager Faith Miller resign.
"I talked to her on Friday," Nabicht said, "and some things weren't clicking."
Miller's sudden resignation was announced by Deltona Mayor John Masiarczyk at the City Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 4. Read the full story of the meeting in Beacon Extra, inside today's edition.
Nabicht said he doesn't believe Miller could have changed her leadership style, and the city, poised to make many changes for the better, needs a city manager who can provide that leadership.
"We're going to have to have a city manager who is a leader and a visionary," he said.
Miller, Nabicht said, was led by her staff. She also provided little assistance or guidance to city commissioners, he said.
Deltona needs a manager who can establish good working relationships with county officials and other governmental leaders, especially in light of an Interstate 4 expansion coming through the city, Saxon Boulevard being widened, and SunRail on tap.
There will be a lot of transportation issues coming up, and Deltona will need someone who can work with other jurisdictions on those projects, Nabicht said.
Nabicht said he thinks the city needs someone new — a better communicator — on board.
Nabicht said when he spoke with Miller Feb. 1, she responded that she wasn't resigning, and accused him of "political payback."
Nabicht said he wasn't sure if Miller was referring to his job as deputy fire chief being eliminated in 2011 under her tenure, or current contract negotiations between the city and its firefighters.
Nabicht said the city had been using outside legal counsel that billed the city at $275 an hour. At Nabicht's suggestion, use of that firm was put under the jurisdiction of the city attorney. Miller wasn't happy about that, he said.
Nabicht said the city attorney is on contract and can answer most questions, eliminating expensive calls to the outside firm from Miller and other staff members.
On Friday, Nabicht said, he suggested Miller take the weekend to consider whether to resign, talk to other commissioners, and then make the decision.
He told her if she didn't quit, he was planning to move during the Feb. 4 City Commission meeting that she be fired.
Miller resigned.
Nabicht called her departure "relatively bloodless." Miller has no black mark on her record, a generous severance package and a year's health insurance.
Read what happened at the Feb. 4 City Commission meeting in Al Everson's story, Deltona city manager exits.
Reader Comments
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Based on the additional information that the majority of the emergency calls (high 80%) are medically related the thought of a volunteer fire department is worth looking into.
Michael who do you propose should run for commission seats? I watch the meetings and don't see anything that is unusual or wrong with the way Mr. Barnaby represents residents. What's your problem with him? Personally I think it good to see a Black commissioner on the commission. I had high regard for Bill Harvey.
The past predicates the future and I hope this cycle ends of non competent folks with no actual backgrounds/education trained to manage City Hall ENDS (preacher, failed real estate developer, day care owner, retirees etc etc, recycled officials). The Deltona elected positions have seemingly been forever deemed for folks who cant cut it in the private sector, hence looking for another gig (Barnaby, REALLY????)
Good luck folks, I pray things change and get better as the good honest working folk of Deltona deserve it.
I agree- this commissioner needs to be called out on the carpet for all to see.
The Fire Department has just made themselves public enemy number one
It’s time to think about a Volunteer Fire Department operating out of one station while the County EVAC handles the medical calls.
How can a city manager be a visionary? They can present ideas to the commission but they can decline to act on them. It is the commissioners that need to be visionaries. Stop excusing your own failures.
The commission made a decision to accept the resignation and not comment further. Commissioner Nabicht's fellow commissioners neeed to take him to task for making the city once again look imature, classless and vengeful but they won't defend the city's reputation.
How will this help the city to recruit a good candidate for the position of city manager? They should decide not to stay with the city they will have to worry their professional reputation will be attacked by the city.
In satisfying his need to attack Faith Miller he has damaged the city's reputation. Commissioner silence is golden. Doesn't anyone that we elect to represent us all think of the city instead of themselves?
This article was not needed.
As a former fireman and the city looking to start their own dept, removing someone who was seen as an obstacle doesn't look good...
Can we say -- Lawsuit..
Learn to be a professional Mr. Nabicht or you will find yourself on the short end of a defamation/slander suit.
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