Walker quits post

By Jimmy LaRoue

Published: May 27, 2008

After more than five years as Waynesboro’s city manager, Doug Walker offered his resignation during a closed session at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
The resignation, which takes effect at 11:59 p.m. June 30, came five days after the current majority of the council learned that both councilmen Tim Williams and Frank Lucente – who together with Bruce Allen will form a council majority when the new council is seated July 1 – asked him directly to step down “immediately after the election,” according to Dowdy. Lucente, as well as Walker, confirmed that he had been asked to resign.
The council voted 3-2 to accept Walker’s resignation, with Vice Mayor Nancy Dowdy and Councilwoman Lorie Smith voting against it. Mayor Tom Reynolds said he would “fall on my sword” in voting to accept it.
Walker, who first came to Waynesboro in January 2003 following a stint as a deputy county administrator in Spotsylvania, said in his letter of resignation that it was time “to transition to the next chapter in my career.” He said the call for his resignation was unexpected, but said his wife took it well, as did members of the city’s staff, after breaking the news to them yesterday, who are handling the news with professionalism, but said he expected their feelings to be “mixed and varied.”
“I’m fine, and my goal after tonight is to work with them to make sure that they’re fine as they transition,” Walker said. He said he could feel that way because “my wife is incredibly supportive, and it’s all I need.”
Reynolds, along with Dowdy and Smith, offered emotional tributes to Walker. Dowdy was on the council when Walker was first hired, and Walker praised that council in his letter of resignation.
“I hired Mr. Walker. I was part of that hiring team and that is the best move I ever made,” Dowdy said. She said she, Mayor Tom Reynolds and Councilwoman Lorie Smith “had no idea and had no part of it.”
Dowdy said Walker has “followed every directive the council has given him.”
“I do not support this action,” Dowdy said.
Dowdy, calling it a difficult and sad night, ticked off numerous accomplishments during Walker’s term, particularly with regard to fiscal matters and economic development. Walker after the meeting deflected credit to other members of the city’s staff and the council. Following a statement she read, Walker received a standing ovation from at least 30 people in the crowd at the meeting.
Len Poulin, the owner of LBP Enterprises, praised Walker and said he was surprised by the resignation.
“I’m in shock for sure,” said Len Poulin following the meeting. “I’m stunned.”
In Dowdy’s statement, she noted that Lucente and Williams told Walker “that they did not trust his leadership.”
“Mr. Walker was told that if he did not resign, the new majority, with Mr. Allen’s support, would fire him on July 1,” Dowdy said in her statement. “Mr. Allen has confirmed his position on this matter.”
Lucente said “you could go by Ms. Dowdy’s statement” with regard to Walker’s resignation.
Lucente, who said he respected and liked Walker, also said the issue was not meant to be “played out in the press.”
Williams, reached after the meeting, said the resignation was “unfortunate,” but then elaborated on it.
“This is what I have dealt with for the past four years,” Williams said. “Walker gets what he wants and manipulates council. And then he did what he wanted – passed resolutions – stated we wouldn’t cut his pay out and honor the terms of his contract, and then Nancy, with her script, rips Frank and then Tom joins in. It’s just modes of operation for them. Everything was scripted, everything was prepared. That is why we did what we had to do.”
Williams said he hoped the city can get “a true man and a true leader that will not divide our city and will work for all of city council. That’s what we need is true leadership.”
Smith also read from a statement, saying Walker was taking the high road by resigning.
“We the city will be experiencing a tremendous loss of leadership,” Smith said, adding that “the new council’s voice is being heard with this decision.”
Reynolds said in the eight years he has been on the council, “This is the toughest thing I’m going to have to do.” He, along with Dowdy, expressed displeasure that Allen had never talked to Walker about anything or had ever even worked with man.
“As much as I don’t want to accept his resignation, I must so that Doug can leave with dignity and respect that he’s earned in the six years that he’s served Waynesboro so admirably.”
Allen was not immediately available for comment.
The closed meeting to receive Walker’s resignation was not on the original agenda to the meeting, and was only added late Tuesday afternoon.
Walker said he would be transitioning to educate other staff and spend additional time with Assistant City Manager Michael Hamp as part of that process.
The outgoing city manager said though he regretted having to submit his resignation, he understood that being asked to step down is “the nature of the city manager business.” He said he has worked at the council’s pleasure.
“It doesn’t mean I’m not an effective city manager just because the city council has changed,” Walker said. “I guess presumably they’ll look for that next right fit.”
Alicia Rimel contributed to this story.