BLYTHEWOOD – During a special called meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Doko Manor, Town Council is expected to name an interim administrator to fill the position of former Administrator John Perry who resigned effective Wednesday, Dec. 29. In an interview last month with The Voice, Mayor J. Michael Ross confirmed that the Town Attorney Jim Meggs is, indeed, a candidate for the position.
Meggs, who has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, is reported to have expressed an interest in working in public administration for the Town. Meggs is a member of the Callison, Tighe and Robinson law firm in Columbia. He was hired by the Town in September 2010 during the administration of Mayor Keith Bailey. As the Town Attorney, Meggs receives a retainer of about $5,000 per month to attend to the Town’s government meetings and associated work. Perry earned approximately $115,000 per year as Town Administrator.
Ross said a seven- to eight-member search committee will be appointed at the Jan. 27 Council meeting to find a permanent replacement for Perry. Asked if Meggs might later be considered as a permanent replacement for Perry, Ross, who is said to work well with Meggs, said that would be up to the search committee as to whether Meggs is a candidate for that position. He said the permanent position might not be filled until about June.
No official reason has been given by the Town government as to why Perry left or was asked to leave the Town’s employment, and his separation agreement with the Town binds Perry not to make any comments whatsoever about his separation from the Town. Perry’s separation agreement was prepared by an attorney in Meggs’ law firm who specializes in labor and employment matters. That attorney was also present in the executive sessions in which Perry’s separation from the Town was finalized.
