KDRV Staff
 
November 18, 2009
 
GRANTS PASS, Ore. - The city of Grants Pass is moving forward with the process of hiring a new temporary city manager.
 
At an executive session Wednesday night, city councilors took public recommendations for the position vacated by Former City Manager David Frasher. The council is currently looking at five candidates.
 
Several residents asked for Laurel Samson, who is currently serving as city manager pro tem.
 
"There is no learning curve. She knows everything there is to know about what's going on. She works well with staff. She has a good relationship with most people in the city," Grants Pass Business Owner Hyla Lipson said.
 
"There is no reason to bring somebody on, train them, to acquaint them with the city, just to have them leave when a new one is appointed," Grants Pass Resident Patrick Kelly said.
 
Meanwhile, the Grants Pass City Council set March 9th as the date for a special election to pick five new councilors to replace those recalled in September. Four of those positions now held by interim councilors expire in December of 2010, meaning there will be another council election next November.
 
The recall election came after months of turmoil between Frasher and the city council. Frasher officially left his position on August 4th. He resigned July 8th, after repeated attempts by the council to fire him. Before he resigned Murphy had vetoed the council's resolution to fire Frasher. The council fell short of the votes needed to overturn the veto.
 
"The questions is at what point do we suggest the council make a permanent suggestion? Do we do it before the November elections or after?" Grants Pass Mayor Mike Murphy said.
 
Murphy hopes time will help attract more candidates.
 
"We are postponing the search for a permanent city manager because we don't think this is the best environment to find the most qualified candidate," Murphy said.
 
The other four candidates were found through the League of Oregon Cities.