Eastern Arizona Courier – Beecher Out as Interim City Manager Pick
After being unable to negotiate terms with their choice to be Safford’s interim city manager, the council decided to explore a new direction, according to Interim City Attorney William J. Sims III.
Sims was given a list of parameters in which to negotiate with the council’s selection, Paul Beecher, at its Aug. 25 meeting. He reported to the council on the standstill between Beecher and the city during executive session of its Monday meeting.
Upon returning to open session, Sims announced the council had given him further direction regarding Beecher but would not say what it was until after he spoke with him.
Sims told the Courier on Tuesday morning that the council and Beecher could not reach terms, and the council decided to go in another direction. Because the direction was given during executive session, Sims and the council cannot elaborate on what that means. Options before the council include voting to offer the interim city manager position to one of the six other finalists, or they may ask Safford Director of Management and Budget Don Knight to continue as acting city manager until a permanent one is hired.