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Medford mayor vetoes Patridge as city manager Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 29, 2016 at 1:34 PM Updated Jul 29, 2016 at 5:17 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 29, 2016 at 1:34 PM Updated Jul 29, 2016 at 5:17 PM » Social News Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler vetoed the hiring of Rob Patridge as city manager today, setting the stage for an override vote by City Council at its Thursday meeting. "Medford should not be a training ground for someone who has no prior experience in city management," Wheeler wrote in a letter explaining his reasons for the veto. Wheeler, who went to City Hall at lunchtime, signed the veto paperwork — his first in 12 years in office — and then an item was placed on the Thursday council agenda for a vote to see whether the required two-thirds majority of the council will override the veto. On July 22, Wheeler announced he would veto the hiring of Patridge prior to the council's 5-3 vote in support. To overturn the veto, the council would need a 6-2 vote if all councilors are present, but a two-thirds vote seems unlikely unless one of the councilors doesn't show at the Thursday meeting. Patridge, a Medford resident and Klamath County district attorney, was selected from three finalists. The other two were Jon Amundson, assistant city manager in Richland, Wash., and James Thompson, retired city manager in Casa Grande, Ariz. Thompson withdrew his candidacy about a month ago. "I'm deeply disappointed by the veto," said Patridge. He said he's received support from former Mayor Al Densmore, nine former city councilors, Sen. Alan Bates, D-Medford, Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, and many community leaders he has worked with over the years. They "have stepped forward to let the council know that I have the qualifications to be Medford's city manager," Patridge said. In addition, Patridge said he's received personal calls, emails and other support. "I know that I can help the city of Medford and work collaboratively with Mayor Wheeler and the entire City Council in developing and carrying out a vision for our community," he said. "I remain committed. I have signed a contract and wait for further direction from the council." Patridge has cited his extensive record working as president of Covey Consulting in Medford, as a lawyer with Pacific Retirement Services and as general counsel for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River. Patridge served in the Oregon House for six years beginning in 1999 and was a deputy district attorney for Jackson County for three years before his election. He was also a Medford city councilor for two years starting in 1996, when he was 27. In his letter, Wheeler said Patridge does not have the executive and administrative qualifications that a city the size of Medford needs. "The candidate has no municipal administrative background, nor has he shown an inclination to pursue a career in municipal government administration," Wheeler stated. "This career path would include a graduate degree in public administration (or a related field, such as urban planning, government finance, business management for example)." Wheeler said by phone today that he called for the override vote Thursday because he thinks that all councilors will be in town. Wheeler said he wasn't sure what the next step will be if the veto stands, but he said he understands that Amundson, the only other remaining finalist, appears to be in final interviews for another job offer. He said the search firm, Waters Consulting, still under contract with the city, would be able to continue helping with the search process. Councilor Dick Gordon, who voted for Patridge, said, "I am disappointed in the mayor for his shortsightedness." If the veto stands, Gordon said the search for a city manager could start over. "I have no idea how the council will react to this," he said. Councilor Kevin Stine voiced his support for the mayor's veto Friday. "I believe that we need a professional administrator, not someone whose top asset is receiving political endorsements," he said. "I hope that we do not delay, and that we attempt to once again to get a suitable person to do the job." Stine said he criticized Patridge for continuing to be a candidate for the position even after he became aware the mayor was going to veto him. "It is highly unlikely that a real professional administrator would want to be involved in this spectacle," Stine said. Stine also criticized the council for conducting its city manager search largely outside the public eye. "The process has lacked transparency and has been dragged out," he said. Councilor Mike Zarosinski said he continues to support Patridge as a candidate and is convinced he would do a good job for Medford. However, he said he understood the three councilors who voiced their opposition. "They had perfectly reasonable reasons not to support Rob as a candidate," he said. Zarosinski said that until today he wasn't sure the mayor would follow through on his veto threat, because this is the third time over the past year that he has made similar veto threats. Councilor Chris Corcoran, who voted for Patridge, said, "The mayor has every right to do what he thinks is best." Corcoran said he's not sure what the next step will be, or what the reaction the council will have to the veto. "Do I agree with him?" Corcoran said. "We'll have a discussion in that regard." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 29, 2016 at 1:34 PM Updated Jul 29, 2016 at 5:17 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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