Carbondale Appoints City Manager
By
Kristin Crowley- News 3
Story Created:
Jan 10, 2012 at 10:06 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jan 11, 2012 at 11:22 AM CDT
CARBONDALE - On Tuesday, Carbondale got a new city manager.
The city council appointed Interim Manager Kevin Baity to the job, despite concerns raised by one member. The concerns were about Baity's decision to grant a zoning permit that violated city ordinance.
That had some on the council questioning whether Baity was right for the job, but when it came down to a vote, six of the seven council members agreed Baity was the best fit.
It only took Carbondale's City Council a few minutes to vote on its new city manager, despite the fact not everyone saw eye to eye.
"I'm encouraged by the comments both positive and negative," said Baity.
Those negative comments came mostly from council member Jane Adams. For the past few weeks, she voiced her opposition to appointing Baity city manager. That's after he granted this auto repair garage a permit to operate in a residential neighborhood, despite a staff recommendation not to.
"It was really his actions in overriding staff decision and permitting illegal uses and then misrepresenting that to me and to the public," said Adams.
But other council members said those concerns were not enough to disqualify Baity.
"You have to be looking out for the best interest of the community and what you think can be made to work," said council member Don Monty.
Monty admits he went back and forth on how to vote Tuesday.
"It was a difficult decision," said Monty. "In the end we made the right decision."
Baity said he doesn't take the questions about his qualifications personally.
"I've had accusations in various different positions I've had whether it was working in Centralia, with Perry County. It comes with the job," said Baity.
Now the question is, will Adams and Baity be able to work together after this dispute?
"One of Mr. Baity's very strong points is that he takes criticism and he moves on. He has very broad soldiers and I appreciate that about him," said Adams.
"Even with councilwoman Adams who voted no, we talked afterwards and we are very interested in working together and working through the issues and projects to move the city forward," said Baity.
As for the garage at the center of this controversy, it needs to relocate to an area that's zoned for business. The city is letting the repair shop continue to operate at the current site until it finds another place to go.
