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Group seeks contract for city manager
By ALEX LEARY © St. Petersburg Times, published February 15, 2001 CRYSTAL RIVER -- Hoping to build on acrimony stemming from the council's decision to dismiss David Sallee, activists have begun a campaign to pressure officials into offering the city manager a new contract. Bud Kramer, who is orchestrating the effort, spent Wednesday morning at City Hall obtaining copies of a recent petition in which 659 people demanded the council retain Sallee. Kramer said he and several other volunteers will contact as many people on the list as possible. He also plans to write letters to local newspapers. Residents will be urged to call City Council members and ask them to negotiate a new contract. On Monday, the council voted 4-1 not to renew Sallee's contract when it expires in early June. "We're not going to sit back and not do anything," Kramer said. "When you quit, you don't gain anything. David Sallee is a highly qualified, competent, dedicated to the city professional. He's the man." The majority of the council members apparently feel otherwise. They have offered a variety of complaints, saying Sallee delegates too much, has been slow to respond to financial problems and is paid too much. Contacted at their homes on Wednesday, two of the council members said they would stand by their decision. "Would I reconsider my vote?" Russ Kreager asked. "No, I've made my decision." Chairman Mike Gudis said there is nothing preventing Sallee from applying for the new job opening. "If he applies and he comes out the top, so be it. This is not a personal thing." The one council member who voted to keep Sallee, Bonnie Taylor, said she would certainly call for a revote. But only those in the majority can do so.
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