Allen, council allies shove feet in mouths

Submitted
Published: July 8, 2008

I find Councilman Bruce Allen’s comment to The News Virginian (“Allen joins City Council for first time today, though presence already felt,” June 30) regarding the firing of City Manager Doug Walker interesting: “I just didn’t think he was taking the city in the direction it needed to go.”
Why do these three continue to put their collective feet in their mouths? Walker did not determine “direction;” the direction came from the council. Walker was fired to demonstrate that the new coalition in council had the power to fire him.
The council should stop trying to offer reasons for Walker’s firing. There is none, and their excuses come across as more and more foolish.
I wonder if Waynesboro’s citizens understand just how much they have lost with Walker’s departure, in addition, that is, to the $128,000 in Walker’s severance plus who knows how much in future expense to find a new city manager. 
This city has been under the gun from state environmental officials since the 1980s to solve problems associated with sewage and drinking water. It took Walker to accomplish this. And by the way, please don’t insult us down the road by trying to shift blame to Walker for your future problems.
Charles Salembier
Waynesboro
Editor’s note: City Manager Doug Walker resigned effective June 30 after being informed by the council’s incoming majority that he had the option to quit his post or be fired.