THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995 TAG: 9506220462
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT AND SHAWN M. TERRY, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
City Manager V. Wayne Orton announced Wednesday that he will retire from the city at the end of the month. Orton, who in 1990 became the area's first black city manager, said he is leaving to spend more time with his family and to explore a new career.
His decision surprised City Council members, who that said the majority of them supported Orton and that there was no pressure for him to leave. Several said Orton got a very good performance evaluation this year.
Orton recommended that the council appoint one of his three deputy city managers to fill in while they search for a successor. He did not specify which deputy.
Orton was eligible to take advantage of a lucrative police and firefighter retirement fund after he turned 50 in December. Under the plan, he will receive about $50,000 a year, according to city figures. Orton is also covered under the International City Manager's Association retirement plan, to which the city contributed.
It was unclear how much and when he could draw from that plan.
Mayor Gloria O. Webb praised Orton for turning the city's finances around.
``When he took over as manager, our fiscal ability was awful,'' Webb said. ``It took him four years to get the city solvent again. I don't think anyone gave him credit because the rank-and-file public never knew what the fiscal picture really was. He did some kind of gutsy things.''
Portsmouth's reserve funds had been inadequate, and it was borrowing to meet day-to-day expenses.
This year, for the first time, Orton said he expects to have extra money left in the budget.
Councilman James C. Hawks also praised the city manager's stewardship.
``I've been real satisfied with Orton's performance,'' Hawks said. ``He's led us through some difficult issues. . . . He's reduced our spending considerably. I think the city's more (financially) healthy now than when he started.''
Councilman Bernard D. Griffin described Orton as a ``genius'' for dealing with the city's fiscal situation.
Some Portsmouth citizens, however, said Wednesday that they resent the money the city invested in Orton's retirement plans.
Orton and the council came under fire in 1993 when citizens learned that the city had paid him $27,000 in bonuses over two years to fund contributions on his behalf to the police and fire retirement plan.
Representatives from the police and firefighters union said Wednesday they don't begrudge Orton the retirement benefits, because he served as a public safety director for the city and because he helped improve the plan for the officers as well.
Orton was also criticized Wednesday for last year's city layoffs.
James H. Flesher, vice president of the Long Point Civic League, complained that Orton cut employees from the lower ranks and added executives.
Orton said the layoffs were a ``difficult but necessary'' decision.
``I don't regret those,'' he said. ``It takes commitment to do this job. The criticism that came from within and without was expected. If we hadn't had the layoffs, we would have had a $3 million to $5 million hole in the budget.''
Detective Ronnie L. Davis, past president of the police union which last year sued the city for overtime pay, said morale among city workers is low. City employees are angry because most won't get pay raises this year, he said.
Carrie J. Byrum, 71, chairwoman of the American Association of Retired Persons Chapter 208 in Portsmouth, said Orton was one of Portsmouth's best city managers. She said his retirement now is ``unfortunate'' for the city.
I thought the city was going in the right direction, but now I'm concerned,'' Byrum said. ``It's Portsmouth's loss. Everything seemed to be going well. He was very instrumental in the Children's Museum, which was a plus.''
In addition to the museum, which was moved to a larger location under his guidance, Orton's five years as city manager also included the opening of the new Tidewater Community College Arts Center; the finalizing of plans for the new I.C. Norcom High School; the organizing of efforts to design an economic development plan, and the design for plans for MidCity Shopping Center and Fairwood Homes.
``I think he's done a super job,'' said Councilman Cameron C. Pitts. ``Because of his positioning, we are on the threshold of breaking into an exciting time.''
Orton said his decision to retire was prompted by the demands on his time. He said he often worked six and seven days a week and was spending too much time away from his wife and children. Orton added that he had lately begun thinking about a career change.
Orton was born on the Eastern Shore and came to Portsmouth at the age of 2. His father, Vernon A. Orton, was a principal and his mother was a teacher in Portsmouth public schools. Orton graduated from I.C. Norcom High School. He received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Norfolk State University and a master's degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.
His career with the city began in 1980 as the director of social services. He has also been an assistant city manager, director of human resources, acting police chief, and the acting director of museums.
``As I approach my retiring years,'' Orton said Wednesday, ``I think that I would want to do some different things. I have had broad and rich experiences, so college or university teaching is something that I would consider.''
Mayor Webb said she was surprised at Orton's decision, even though she knew he was eligible to retire.
``I really think he wanted to spend time with his family,'' Webb said. ``We had talked about that at length. It is good timing; if you're 50 and have the number of years, why should you stay? He's still relatively young enough that he can have another career.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PORTSMOUTH CAREER OF CITY MANAGER V. WAYNE ORTON:
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
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