Mayfield re-appointed
Staff reporter
With a vote of 4-1, Marion City Council approved the re-appointment Monday of David Mayfield as city administrator.
Following weeks of speculation, Mayfield was re-appointed for the fifth year.
The council called for an executive session to discuss personnel with city attorney Dan Baldwin and Mayfield. After more than an hour, the council returned to Marion City Auditorium where a crowd of 60-plus remained.
Mayor Mary Olson made the motion to re-appoint Mayfield, Stacey Collett seconded the motion, and the council voted 4-1, with Bill Holdeman as the only hold-out.
When Olson made the motion, there was an audible gasp, followed by murmurs. When the council made the appointment, a couple of members of the audience applauded while others made comments under their breath.
As the crowd spilled out to the sidewalk, it was clear that the decision did not please everyone.
The council also appointed Marion Police Lieutenant Dean Keyes as interim police chief with Holdeman being the one opposing vote. Police chief Michel Soyez resigned at the April 23 meeting. His tenure ended at 5 p.m. Monday.
Soyez was appointed interim police chief in August 2002, when Mayfield was appointed interim city administrator. Soyez was appointed to the post in October 2002, when Mayfield accepted the administrator position.
Mayfield's contract stated that if Mayfield was fired as administrator, he could resume responsibilities as police chief.
At the April 23 meeting, Olson expressed concerns about Mayfield's job performance and wanted the council to consider terminating him. A special council meeting was called the following Monday to discuss Mayfield's performance. Four local businessmen showed support of the administrator by telling the council they could pull-up stakes and move if the council failed to keep Mayfield.
With no decision made at the special meeting, the council decided it would make a final determination at Monday's meeting.
The appointment is for one year with consideration again made in April 2008.
Following Monday's meeting, Olson was contacted for comment.
"I appointed Mr. Mayfield as city administrator because I think the council feels he will carry out the directions the council gives him. I also will try to see that the personal concerns I have will be addressed," she said.
