THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506090534
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Planning Director Victor Sharpe was named interim city manager Thursday in a special City Council meeting.
Sharpe, who has worked for the city for about six years and has been planning director for about two, will be the city's first black manager, Mayor H. Rick Gardner said. Just shy of 29 years old, Sharpe also will be one of the youngest managers in city history.
``I am very, very pleased with the selection of Victor Sharpe,'' Gardner said after the unanimous council vote. ``I have complete confidence in his abilities. I look forward to working with him, and I am confident we can keep things on an even keel.''
Sharpe will run the city until a replacement is found for outgoing manager Ralph Clark, who announced his resignation May 31.
Clark's resignation was effective at the end of this month, but the council voted to release him after the budget is passed June 19 to allow him time before he starts as city manager of Clayton, N.C.
``I like Victor,'' Clark said. ``I think he'll do a nice job.''
Gardner said other city employees were considered for the interim manager job, but no other names were mentioned by City Council members in the open meeting.
``I'm very excited in terms of being given the opportunity,'' Sharpe said. ``I just plan to do my best to continue all the good things that have been going on in the city.''
Sharpe said he has not set particular goals other than to continue shepherding the city through its rapid growth. He said he will use the interim post to determine if he should apply for the permanent job.
Councilman W.L. ``Pete'' Hooker made the motion to appoint Sharpe after a 25-minute closed session. Councilman A.C. Robinson Jr. seconded.
Sharpe will receive a $5,000-a-year raise during his tenure as acting city manager. Gardner said that would put his salary in the $46,000 range.
Sharpe, who has spent his entire career in the city's planning department, said he expects to have a good relationship with other city department heads.
``I think we can work with each other fine,'' Sharpe said. ``I think we all have a common goal, and that's a better Elizabeth City.''
Also at Thursday's meeting, the council began reviewing criteria for hiring a new city manager. Council members approved $15,000 to match state Department of Transportation funds to put a sidewalk along part of Ehringhaus Street, one of the city's main thoroughfares. by CNB