THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170724
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Ron Massie's expertise and temperament seem uniquely suited to Portsmouth's needs in a city manager at this time.
By training and by experience, he is a planner and an economic developer. His knowledge of municipal finances was learned by doing. For 25 years, he has worked to get things done.
A former assistant city manager of Norfolk, he already knows the players in the regional game - and he knows the resistance he is likely to encounter both at home and abroad as Portsmouth moves to claim its rightful place in Hampton Roads.
Massie's easy-going demeanor is a vivid contrast to the personalities of the past two city managers here. But his mannerly persona is combined with a quick intelligence. He is a professional who knowingly accepted a tough job that could turn out to be the high point of his career.
Massie had retired from Norfolk's staff, when he was persuaded to come to Portsmouth on an interim basis after the abrupt departure of Wayne Orton as city manager. He was not at that time seeking the job, but apparently the excitement of what is happening in Portsmouth stimulated his mind and challenged his professional skills.
Unlike his predecessors, Massie does not have to prove anything.
George Hanbury, who left Virginia Beach under fire, was anxious to show the region he could make Portsmouth move - and he did a superb job of that. But his personality and his mode of operation frequently clashed with the politicians.
Wayne Orton, a local guy who made good, moved up Portsmouth's bureaucratic ladder to the top job. Like Hanbury, he felt he had to prove himself and, in trying to protect his image, he sometimes made bad choices. In addition, he did not like to share projects with citizens, wanting instead to get all the credit for any successes - or maybe to hide failures.
Both Hanbury and Orton were capable men but they sometimes appeared as adversaries with elected officials, often seemed to be playing games which took an unnecessary toll on the city's ability to move ahead.
Massie seems more open and inclined to work through problems with the officials, rather than try to outsmart them. Perhaps he can do more by persuasion than the others have done with one-upmanship tactics.
Massie's posture is less frantic, more rational. He seems less consumed by ego than his predecessors, less self-aggrandizing, more able to make decisions based on facts.
He does not seem to rush into things even when he spots a problem. Rather he tends to learn all he can about a situation and also to involve other city employees before making a final decision. In just a short while, he has been able to change the atmosphere at City Hall, where employees seem to be more relaxed although they are working harder.
His methods of rational discussion, professional advice and constructive compromise appear to be just what Portsmouth needs right now.
City Council was wise to convince him to stay here. by CNB