Charlottesville searches for leaders after departures
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The city of Charlottesville is searching for people to lead the city, going so far as to turn to a consulting firm to run it because two city managers have resigned this year and a candidate for the interim role backed out.
John Blair left in February, and Chip Boyles resigned in October, The Daily Progress of Charlottesville reported. Boyles cited public criticism that erupted after he fired the city’s police chief, a Black woman, saying he was concerned other city leaders would leave if he did not fire her.
RaShall Brackney, the police chief who was fired, filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against the city, Boyles and others, asking for $3 million. Brackney alleges she was discriminated against on the basis of race and sex. At a news conference in November she said she was still experiencing "humiliating acts of discrimination, continued disparate treatment, harassment and retaliation.”
Assistant Police Chief James Mooney, who was to replace Brackney temporarily, backed out.
Outgoing Mayor Nikuyah Walker, who often has said that city leaders were contributing to white supremacy, announced in September she would not run for City Council again because of Brackney’s firing as well as her relationship with the other councilors. Walker has posted comments on social media comparing the city to a rapist, drawing criticism of her own.
“When we have this level of turnover … we can’t respond adequately to the needs of the community, we can’t adequately respond to constituent requests and we can’t adequately create and implement public policy,” councilor Michael Payne said.
Walker and Boyles did not respond to requests from The Daily Progress for interviews.
Marc Woolley, recently appointed interim city manager, has backed...