City Manager Finalist for Jackson County Job
Rick Eckert is one of three in contention for the county's manager position, the Rome News-Tribune is reporting.
Powder Springs City Manager Rick Eckert is one of three finalists in the running for Jackson County's manager, the Rome News-Tribune is reporting.
The other two finalists are Floyd County Manager Kevin Poe and Elbert County Manager Bob Thomas, according to the newspaper.
Eckert began in May 2010 and had to hurriedly prepare the budget that would begin two months later. He also helped the city prepare the current fiscal budget with no layoffs, furloughs or tax increases.
A recent evaluation by members of the City Council recognized that Eckert has spent “a great deal of (his) time and attention” in the investigation and eventual firing of former police chief L. Rick Richardson, as well as the hiring of the new chief and Public Works director.
He graduated in 1973 from the Southwest Missouri State University and is a former employee of CH2M Hill, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Eckert had signed a two-year contract at $115,000 a year with Powder Springs, according to the AJC.
Before Eckert, Mayor Pat Vaughn was acting city manager since November 2008, when former City Manager Charles Nickerson was placed on leave and eventually fired, the AJC reported.
Vaughn also took over the job in late 2005, when Dane Perry left the city, according to the AJC.
James
8:33 pm on Thursday, September 15, 2011
Why can't the mayor keep a city manager? How many will this make?
watchdog5
10:34 pm on Thursday, September 15, 2011
Looks like the Mayor has ran off another one! I believe this is number 6 now in less than two terms as Mayor! The Finance Director's position is coming in close, number 5 I believe within the same amount of time! Another City Manager brought in just long enough to take care of her dirty work like firing the police chief! Oh well, now she can go back to being Mayor & City Manager and receive pay for both positions like she has done before. By the way, that happens to be illegal! Check with the state's attorneys office if you have any doubt. Just like it was illegal for her to sign a blank title for a former employee on one of the auction cars that the chief was terminated for! That's why Powder Springs was dragged into Federal Court to begin with! Never see these stories in the media do you? Just wait Pat fans.....there is much more to come!
Susan Goodman
10:10 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011
I believe your math isn't correct--during Pat's administration there have been 3 other city managers before Eckert not 5. As far as the 5 finance directors, 3 of the finance director's left while under one particular city manager's supervision--could it have been a problem with him and not the mayor??? The finance director hired after that city manager was fired is still with the city. Could your other comments also be twisted and wrong? Probably.
JIM
6:53 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
watchdog5 needs to get the facts straight, she or he is lying just like Richardson
John Q. Citizen
2:59 am on Friday, September 16, 2011
Somebody needs grammar and civics lessons. It's run off, not ran off, and besides, if you've ever watched a council meeting, you'd know the mayor doesn't even vote unless there's a tie, so whoever's running peiople off is doing it with the blessing of the majority of the council
james funni
8:15 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011
Hey John Q... It's people not peiople.... Mr. grammar guy. Pat hires people like Rick Eckert to do the dirty stuff... She's dirty and plays dirty politics.
JIM
6:54 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
sounds like you are the one that need a bath
Concern Citizen of Powder Springs
10:03 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011
Quit fighting over grammar people and focus on what is best for Powder Springs. It's time for a new Mayor and new leadership. Rick Richardson can take us into the future, I know everyone is eager to hear his side of the story, it's time for the truth to come out. He has a webpage and you can leave him a message and he will contact you and tell you what is really happening in Powder Springs.
JIM
6:56 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Rick does not have a clue, all he knows how to do is lie.....
poolboy
7:53 pm on Sunday, September 18, 2011
Pat Vaughn is a controlling micro-manager. I don't blame Eckert for trying to get away from her.
JIM
6:57 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
your name says it all
FightingForTheTruth
11:32 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
It is obvious that Pat has something to hide. There are many other city employees terminated for various reasons other than performance issues and Pat specifically gave those directions not the Council or City Manager. They simply have executed the orders. Folks it is clear that change is needed. Pat nor anyone else should hold the position this long for the sake of the city.
I find it amusing that Eckert has been seeking another position since Richardson announced plans to run for Mayor. I don't think Pat is forcing him out, I think Eckert fears the truth that will be told once Richardson is in office. Frankly, he is still accountable for his actions as well as Vaughn when the City becomes more transparent.
JIM
6:59 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
you and Richardson are the ones hoping the truth won't come out
James
12:33 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I thing Eckert knew the handwriting was on the wall. The process he was in with Jackson County shows that he was looking long before he knew Rick was running for mayor. He knew he would be gone just as his predessor, after the deed was done and Pat was reelected. Let's make sure she is not re-elected.