BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Recent developments shine a light on further disorder in the Beckley City Manager recruitment process as Beckley City Manager Recruitment Committee member, Jina Belcher has declared her intention to step down from the committee.
In a letter addressed to Beckley City Attorney, Bill File on Wednesday, Belcher cites dissatisfaction in multiple areas with regard to the recruitment process, including an apparent lack of transparency and urgency in the filling of the city manager role.
“There has been a persistent lack of transparent communication and an evident lack of urgency in filling the city manager position,” Belcher writes. “Additionally, the frequent cancellation of committee meetings has hindered our progress, and there has been a troubling lack of clarity regarding the committee’s purpose.”
Also cited as a concern was, “clear unilateral decision-making that circumvents the committee’s intended role.”
Such issues have also been a point of concern for members of the general public in recent weeks, with repeated meeting cancellations and a perceived ongoing lack of transparency from city officials having been sources of frustration among Raleigh County residents.
In her resignation letter, Belcher – Executive Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority – expresses gratitude for being considered for a role on the committee and reiterates a commitment to the success of the city’s government.
“My decision to resign should not be seen as a lack of support for this goal but rather a reflection of my own concern for the integrity and effectiveness of the City of Beckley’s process.”
Currently, Billie Trump is filling in as interim City Manager.
