EAST PALESTINE Chief is in line to become interim manager
He must choose an officer to lead the police department.
EAST PALESTINE -- With council's vote Sept. 10 a likely formality, Police Chief Gary Clark is looking forward to serving the city in a new capacity.
Council will vote that day to name Clark as interim city manager. With council approval, he will begin his new duties Sept. 14.
City Manager Patricia Quigley resigned last week, effective Sept. 13, to accept a position as city manager of Woodstock, Ga., a community of about 13,000 near Atlanta.
Quigley is in Woodstock this week, but will return to wrap up some city projects, including working with Clark.
"We'll have a couple of weeks to get oriented so we can have a smooth transition," Clark said.
Replacement: Clark, meanwhile, has the task of finding an acting police chief. He said that matter is under study and he will seek input from Quigley and others before making a decision.
He said he feels good about the state of the department and he will leave it in capable hands.
"I've been at this [chief] for quite awhile and I think the change will be good for the city and for the department as well," Clark said. "We're going in a good direction, and I am looking forward to being able to work as a team with council on the improvement and growth of the city."
Council members contacted last week after Quigley's resignation said they strongly believed council should consider local candidates this time. Three previous city managers relocated to the area. Ken Francis came from central Ohio, Kim Haws from Arizona, and Quigley from Oregon.