COLUMBIA, 1/23/11 (Beat Byte) -- After
a rocky tenure that included a failed sales tax vote, problems with the police
force, and criticism for residing in Jefferson City, Ashland city administrator
Chris Heard has resigned effective January 31.
But in an unusual move, the Ashland Board of
Aldermen agreed to rehire Heard, this time as a "project consultant" for six
months after his resignation, the Boone County Journal reports.
Even more unusual: Heard -- who presently earns $59,138
annually -- said his new contract includes a 1% pay raise and the same benefits
he received as city manager.
About 15 miles south of Columbia, Ashland is home to many
residents who work in Columbia or Jefferson City.
Two closed Ashland Board of Aldermen sessions earlier this
month held townsfolk in suspense, with speculation that Heard might not receive
a contract renewal. Though Heard will no longer function as city
administrator, Ashland Mayor Mike Jackson told the Journal that Heard
had been involved in too many contracts to completely cut his employment ties.
Under Heard's watch, Ashland police officer Scott Wilson
was arrested
for driving drunk in 2009 and Ashland reserve police officer
Monique Lewis filed
suit against the city for gender discrimination late last year. In
May 2010, roughly 50 people demanded Heard's resignation at a meeting of the
Board of Aldermen.
"A series of local business owners spoke out against Heard
as the cause of the inhospitable atmosphere," wrote Boone County Journal reporter Cassandra Leap. "Local builder Cory Myers presented a petition for Heard’s
'immediate release,' including about 40 signatures from local business owners
and individual residents. The petition describes Heard as 'unapproachable,
condescending and displays an air of pompous arrogance.'"
Nonetheless, Ashland city attorney David Bandre said he
felt Heard was "doing a fine job."
Forum posts on the city's nearly year-old muckraking
board, Wake Up
Ashland, paint an unfavorable picture.
"Finally the city has exorcised its demon, Chris Heard,"
one poster writes. Another left a poem that begins,
"A few years ago at Christmas, a man named Chris came to
town.
Only later did we realize he was not a savior, but merely a clown."
Only later did we realize he was not a savior, but merely a clown."
....
"The town has had enough of his agenda, and his deaf
ear,
and to him and his cronies, the town says enjoy your last year."
and to him and his cronies, the town says enjoy your last year."
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