NOMINEES
The Chattanooga city department administrator nominees and salaries are:
* Missy Crutchfield, Department of Education, Arts & Culture: $103,452.40
* Police Chief Freeman Cooper: $116,822.41
* Beverly Johnson, Department of Neighborhood Services: $111,535.33
* Donna Kelley, Department of Personnel: $111,535.33
* Steve Leach, Department of Public Works: $111,617.59
* Daisy Madison, Department of Finance and Administration: $124,812.40
* Michael McMahan, city attorney: $105,765.10
* Fire Chief Randy Parker: $74,895.67
* Bernadine Turner, Department of Human Services: $111,535.33
* Larry Zehnder, Department of Parks and Recreation: $108,461.39
Source: City of Chattanooga
A new Cabinet for Mayor Ron Littlefield could be confirmed as early as this week, the Chattanooga City Council chairman said.
“I hadn’t heard of anyone talk about a special meeting with the department heads,” Councilman Jack Benson said. “At this point, it looks like it could be passed.”
Mr. Littlefield announced last Tuesday his picks for his top administrator positions. Those positions remain unchanged except in two areas.
Interim City Attorney Mike McMahan was nominated as city attorney. He has served in that position since Jan. 1, when former City Attorney Randy Nelson retired.
The second change involves the nomination of Deputy Chief Randy Parker as fire chief. Mr. Littlefield announced almost a month and a half ago that he would not renew the contract of former Fire Chief Wendell Rowe.
The council deferred confirming the mayor’s nominees last week, opting to take up the nominations Tuesday during the Legal and Legislative Committee meeting.
Mr. Littlefield said Friday he was not surprised the council did not confirm his nominations right away — even though four years ago the sitting council did. He said new members of the council want to get to know the department heads better.
“It’s not controversial, and I don’t expect it to be,” he said.
Councilman Peter Murphy, chairman of the Legal and Legislative Committee, said according to the city charter, the council has 30 days to confirm the nominations.
Mr. Murphy asked all the council members to interview the department heads they wished to before the committee meeting.
“I don’t think it should just be a pro forma thing where whoever a mayor nominates is automatically approved,” he said. “Having said that, at present I’m not aware of any issues with any individual nominee before us.”
Councilman Manny Rico said he has worked with the nominees over the last four years. He said new council members may have questions.
“It’s only fair. If they have questions, let them ask,” he said.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
Or login with:
New Account