Posted: 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2014

New city manager ‘knows all of the problems’

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

    Several community business leaders saluted City Council for offering the new city manager job to Doug Adkins, director of community revitalization for the city since 2009.

Last week, after reviewing emails among city council members, the Journal-News learned Adkins was offered and accepted the position to replace the retiring Judy Gilleland early next month. But on Tuesday, nearly a week after the offer, no contract has been signed, said Noah Powers, director of human resources. Last week, Mayor Lawrence Mulligan Jr. also cautioned against an announcement since there was no signed contract.

    Adkins, who has no city manager experience, will be paid $115,000 a year, $12,000 less than Gilleland earns, according to a draft of the employment agreement.

    On May 17, Adkins, along with the four other finalists — Les Landen, the city’s law director, and three external candidates, Cathy Davison, former city manager in Steubenville, Ohio; Willie Norfleet Jr., city manager in Socorro, Texas; and Jane Howington, city manager in Newport, R.I. — toured the city, met with city officials, then went through several hours of interviews with city staff, business leaders and Middletown residents.

    Downtown activist Adriane Scherrer, who attended all of the one-hour interviews with the candidates in Council Chambers, said she supported Howington as the next city manager. Council members have said Howington was their second choice. But after hearing Adkins’ presentation, Scherrer said she realized he would be selected.

    “We took advantage of knowing the city,” Scherrer said. “He knew the answers to all the questions. He was slick. He talked without taking a breath, and after that I knew we were doomed to have him.”

    Like all politicians, she said, Adkins’ success will be more dependant on what he does, than what he says. When asked about HUD, Adkins said he was directed by the city’s lawyers not to address the subject because of pending litigation. Once that announcement was made, Scherrer said, that “ended any possible negative questions.”

    Then she added: “Based on what he said, I’m totally in support of him. We will see what happens.”

    At his presentation, Adkins said the city needs to reduce its crime by being pro-active. He even suggested placing dead-bolt locks on every home in the city. Scherrer said with the current heroin epidemic in the city, now is not the time to reduce the number of police officers.

    Cris Kelly, president of the FOP Local 36, said he worked with Adkins when he served as the city’s prosecutor. He believes Adkins is “pro-police” and he hopes police staffing remains at “safe levels.”

    Middletown landlord Dan Tracy, who has filed a lawsuit against Adkins and the city over the handling of Section 8, hesitated when asked about Adkins. He wasn’t sure how much he should comment.

    Then he said: “I want him to do the right thing, what is fair and look at it as business, not personal.”

    Before Adkins spoke during the interview, Tracy moved down to the front row. What did he think of Adkins’ presentation?

    “He was excellent,” Tracy said. “He tells you what you want to hear and he tells you well.”

    Rick Pearce, president of the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, said he looks forward to working with Adkins because of his “energy and drive.”

    Jay Moorman, owner of Beau Verre Riordan Stained Glass Studios in downtown, said he has worked with Adkins on several downtown projects and he “never let me down.”

He thought Adkins was the right choice because he has worked in the city since 2005, so his transition to city manager should be smooth and quick.

    “It won’t take much time for him to get acclimated to the city,” Moorman said. “He knows all the problems.”