Editor’s note: Sounds so familiar!
COATESVILLE, PA — More than five weeks after he was fired, former City Manager Gary Rawlings discussed recently why he was let go, the situation with the city’s police department and other issues.
City Council never provided the public with a specific reason as to why they terminated Rawlings on June 11. Rawlings said he, too, was never provided with a reason from council for his eventual dismissal.
“I was never given a reason and can only assume,” said Rawlings, who served as manager for 13 months. “I guess it was that they were unhappy with my style. But I tried to draw a line between my responsibilities and theirs based on the city charter. When it came to personnel matters, I told them they had to stay out of it or else they could get in trouble.
”Rawlings said council was “too involved” in the day-to-day management in the city. He said the council never set goals for him even though it was part of his contract. He said council should “set goals and then step back” when hiring a city manager. He said the next manager will also need more time to develop.
“Thirteen months is not enough time to judge someone’s management style,” Rawlings said.
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