7/5/07
Right Stuff
Manning hires Rhodes as new administrator
By Cathy Gilbert

Following months of searching for the perfect candidate to lead Manning through what is a step forward in growth, the Manning City Council hired Summerton Town Administrator Rebecca Rhodes to fill the top administrative position with the city.

The hiring comes after a year-long vacancy following the termination of Paul Bjorkman on June 20, 2006. Bjorkman had served the city as administrator for nearly four years.

Citing a need to go in a different direction, the Council opted to terminate Bjorkman’s contract before it automatically renewed for two more years.
Rhodes was interviewed in executive session Monday night, after which the Council voted to hire her. The vote was unanimous. Rhodes salary is estimated to be approximately $60,000 per year.

Rhodes will leave the town of Summerton effective Aug. 6. She has been an integral part of the town’s downtown revitalization effort and moved the town closer to a much needed improvement in its water and sewer infrastructure.

“We have spent a great deal of time getting the Town of Summerton and the City of Manning to work together to share our resources for water and sewer and we should be ready to sign an agreement to work together within the next 60 days,” Rhodes said.

“Dealing with the developers looking at North Santee has been an exciting challenge in assisting them with water and sewer,” she added. “When I hear someone say ‘there is nothing going on in Summerton,’ I love to tell them everything that is happening. It’s a lot to tell.”

Because many of Summerton’s projects are still ongoing and many involve activity with the City of Manning, Rhodes will continue to consult with the town until a replacement can be hired.

“For instance, we are about to sign contracts for the next phase of the streetscape project and I will want to be available to assist with implementation of the work,” Rhodes added.

For Rhodes, the departure is a bit bittersweet.

“The last three years have been a wonderful experience and I have learned more than I probably would have learned anywhere else,” said Rhodes. “With the many challenging projects that the City of Manning has ongoing, I am excited about the opportunity.

“I feel like my time in Summeton has prepared me well to serve as Manning’s City Administrator,” Rhodes said. “I feel like it will be a smooth transition.”

“As a council, we were committed to taking our time and finding the best candidate for the job, and I believe we have done that in hiring Rebecca Rhodes,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson. “I think there are great things coming for the City of Manning.”