Pikeville looking to fill job
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on February 26, 2013 1:46 PM
PIKEVILLE -- Pikeville is looking for a new town administrator as Kathy Fields will be leaving her post on Friday.
Town Mayor Johnny Weaver said the departure was voluntary -- that Ms. Fields simply had another job offer -- and that the council wished her well.
Ms. Fields has worked for the town for the last 15 years, first as town clerk, and, for the last five, as town administrator.
The process to fill her shoes has already begun, with the town advertising the position, looking for someone with at least a four-year degree and preferably local government experience.
But, Weaver said, even with the town entering budget season, there is no rush to fill the position. He expects the search to take at least three months, if not more.
"We want to get somebody as quick as we can, but we want to go through this process and do it right," he said.
In the meantime, he said, Gary Pittman, with whom the town contracts to work on the budget, will present the proposal to the board as usual in the coming months. The rest of the town's employees and board members will simply work to fill in the other gaps. Town Clerk Michelle Singleton will take over the interim duties. He also said a part-time position has temporarily been made a full-time one to help pick up any slack.
"We're all going to pitch in and help," Weaver said. "I think we'll be OK in the short run. In the long run, we might find some things we need to be working on, but everyone's going to come together to get through this transition."