Suffolk director says city manager forced him out

SUFFOLK

A high-level city official who resigned last week says he was forced out because he fell out of favor with City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn.

Finance Director Dale M. Walker, who had held the $113,000 position since April 2009, said Cuffee-Glenn summoned him to her office and was told to quit or be fired. He agreed to resign and was escorted out of City Hall and told his personal effects would be sent to him later.

"I was flabbergasted. I was absolutely stunned," Walker said in an interview.

When he asked the city manager the reason for his dismissal, he said she responded with a single word, "Judgment," but declined to explain. There was no suggestion of misconduct.

Walker was the city's fifth finance director since 2006. City spokeswoman Debbie George refused to comment on his departure.

"We do not discuss personnel matters," she said in an e-mail.

Walker was the second city official to abruptly resign last week. City Assessor Sid Daughtrey, a 26-year city employee and assessor since November 2008, announced he was stepping down effective March 4. Mayor Linda Johnson read the announcement without explanation at the Feb. 16 council meeting.

Walker, 63, came to Suffolk with more than 40 years of finance experience in city governments in Michigan and the District of Columbia. The office he led is responsible for the city's payroll and accounting, including issuing revenue bonds and short-term debt.

"Dale brings with him extensive experience in municipal finance, management skills and leadership qualities that we looked for in this critical role," Cuffee-Glenn said when he was hired.

Walker said he was summoned to the city manager's office at 5 p.m. on Feb. 17. He said he was to begin a one-week vacation the next day.

When he arrived at Cuffee-Glenn's office, Human Resources Director Ronnie Charles was seated across from her desk.

"She told me she didn't value my judgment any longer and that I was not worthy to be on her team, and so therefore we were going to part company: 'You can either resign or be fired.' And I said, well, obviously I'm going to resign."

Charles handed him a one-sentence resignation statement and asked him to sign it, then escorted him out of the office and out of the building. Walker was not permitted to return to his office or say goodbye to his staff. He said he was offered no severance package.

Walker said the city manager had expressed displeasure in the past when she learned he communicated occasionally with City Treasurer Ron Williams and others in City Hall regarding financial matters. The treasurer is an elected constitutional officer.

"Basically, she didn't want me talking with Ron," Walker said.

Walker said it was impossible for the finance director to do his job without interacting with the treasurer and others connected to city finances.

Williams said he and Walker "had a wonderful working relationship in trying to improve the city for the citizens. "

Deputy City Manager Patrick Roberts has been assigned to serve as interim finance director.

Jeff Sheler, (757) 222-5563, jeff.sheler@pilotonline.com