Mayor Jeff Harris withdraws name from City, General Manager search

ALYSSA B. MARTIN-news-herald.net

City of Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris announced he pulled out of the City and General Manager search during a LUB special meeting held Monday afternoon.

According to Loudon City Attorney Kris Frye, Harris sent him a letter last week withdrawing himself from the running for the position.

“I received a notice from Mayor Harris, acting Manager, that he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the Manager search at this time,” Frye said. “In light of this board’s vote at their last meeting, he is no longer a candidate for that position.”

During the March 25 LUB meeting, Harris requested the board directors rescind their support of their appointed candidate, and in return, asked for their support of him in hopes to make progress with the City Council as well.

While LUB voted 3-to-2 to appoint Harris, City Council’s discussion was once again inconclusive with no indication of coming to a consensus.

Following the latter meeting, Harris decided it was time for him to step up to move the process forward.

“I have mixed emotions about withdrawing because I do believe at this moment in time for LUB and the City I am the best fit for the position. However, some disagree with me and a decision had to be made to help move the process forward so I decided to withdraw my name,” Harris said in a statement to the News-Herald following Monday’s LUB and City Council workshops.

“My goal has always been to serve my community and I will continue to do so in whatever capacity is asked of me which includes helping to fill the Manager position,” he said.

With this withdrawal, it brings LUB and Loudon City Council back to the very beginning of the process, with no prospects or plans on how to move forward.

A joint meeting to discuss next steps will be held on Monday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m. in the public meeting room in the Loudon Municipal Building. They plan to discuss what process to use to find the right fit for the role and decide what characteristics they’re looking for in their ideal candidate.