THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 18, 1995 TAG: 9507180271
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHAWN M. TERRY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
The City Council filled a pair of key leadership positions Monday by tapping men with experience in bigger cities.
In a special afternoon session, the council appointed as city attorney G. Timothy Oksman, who held the same position for six years in Richmond.
And to run the government during the search for the next city manager, the council selected Ronald W. Massie, who recently retired as an assistant city manager in Norfolk.
Massie starts the temporary job today and is expected to serve for six months at a $70,000 annual salary.
Oksman will begin work Aug. 1 and earn $90,000 a year.
Vice Mayor Johnny M. Clemons called the men critical to the city's growth and direction.
``I think we'll continue the course,'' Clemons said, ``and both men bring the talent and expertise we need at this time.''
Oksman resigned from the Richmond post in August after the City Council there met in a closed session to discuss his job performance.
He had clashed with some members of the council in the past and left six weeks after a new council took office. The resignation was ``to give City Council the fullest possible opportunity to implement the mandate for change that the voters expressed,'' Mayor Leonidas B. Young told The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Oksman then went to work with the Richmond-based law firm McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe.
Portsmouth Mayor Gloria O. Webb said the council had looked into Oksman's tenure in Richmond and was impressed.
Oksman was appointed by a 7-0, vote.
Massie was appointed acting city manager by a 6-1 vote.
Councilman Bernard D. Griffin was the lone vote against the former Norfolk official, saying he believed that the assistant city managers already on staff were qualified to handle the job until a replacement can be hired for V. Wayne Orton, who retired last month.
Massie pledged to continue Orton's teamwork approach toward city administration.
``I want to do a lot of listening so that I can know the priorities and strategies of the council,'' Massie, 56, said.
He had served for 25 years in Norfolk before retiring last December.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENT by CNB