12/21/04 — Director sought for Gateway system

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Director sought for Gateway system

By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on December 21, 2004 1:59 PM

The Goldsboro Wayne Transportation Authority decided Monday to advertise for an executive director instead of an administrator to run the public transit system.

The bus and van system, known as Gateway, tried unsuccessfully for two years to hire an executive director, but decided in September it wouldn't need a director. Instead, the authority approved a contract with David Eatman, Tar River Transit manager, to provide administrative services for Gateway.

The authority then decided it would advertise for a coordinator to fill the administrative gaps.

But that decision changed Monday when Eatman, who will finish his 90-day contract at the end of December, told the authority that the demands of the job were greater than he had expected.

City Manager Richard Slozak recommended advertising for an executive director with a salary range between $40,000 and $55,000.

He also thought the improvements in the system would attract more candidates.

In July, Applebus Co. assumed management of the public bus and van service

"I don't think we'll have the problems in finding a director that we had in the past," Slozak said.

Slozak said that the authority might still need Eatman's help, on a much reduced level, after hiring a director.

"We may have to contract with him to shore up some points," Slozak said.