EAST PALESTINE Council wants to give Clark permanent post

One councilwoman said Clark has already shown there's no reason to continue the interim status.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST PALESTINE -- City council wants to give city manager Gary Clark a vote of confidence, removing him from interim status after eight weeks on the job.
Councilwoman Becky Burns made the recommendation to council Monday. Law Director Bradley Allison will draft legislation for the Nov. 12 meeting that reflects council's wishes.
Clark, who was the city's police chief 25 years, began duties as city manager Sept. 14, replacing Patricia Quigley, who left to become city manager of Woodstock, Ga. Council voted to give Clark the job for six months, with the option he could return to the police chief's position.
"We've taken a long hard look at what he's done," Burns said. "We had a list of unresolved issues on our agenda for more than a year. He's already taken care of most of them. We receive weekly status reports."
Police matters: Burns said there also is an urgency to shift personnel in the police department. Patrolman Clyde Hoffmeister was named police chief, and his position has not been filled. Burns said there is now another officer who is on sick leave and may not return.
"I don't think there's any reason to wait," Burns said. "I think we need to give him the nod. Gary has said from the beginning he does not want to go back to being police chief."
Clark said he is pleased with council's planned affirmation. He said he is enjoying the job and has a good rapport with department heads and other city employees because he's "been working with them for years."
"I wouldn't give the job any less than my best," Clark said of wanting to hold onto the city manager's post. "Going back to being chief didn't ever enter my mind."