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Highlands Today

Shirey Applies To Lead AP Executive Airport

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By Douglas  Carman | Highlands Today

Published: December 12, 2007

AVON PARK — City Manager C.B. Shirey applied to be the Avon Park Executive Airport's manager Tuesday, a move that could force him to resign as the city manager if he were hired.

The city council could hire him as early as Jan. 2 when they have their next meeting. If he is hired, Shirey might continue acting as the city manager until a replacement is found.

Shirey announced his intentions Monday. Some council members became aware of Shirey's plans only the morning before the meeting. They would have hired Shirey that day, but Shirey did not complete the application until Tuesday.

Shirey said he had 16 applications for the airport position, but said only three of the applicants had any airport experience.

On Tuesday, he said he considered applying for the position since it became available. At Monday's council meeting, he also said he had a business background and was familiar with the airport, which he managed along with the city up to this point.

"I believe I am the most qualified person," Shirey said.

Council members quickly supported him. "I think it's a good idea," Councilman Doug Eason said Monday.

"I think this is the biggest boost we can give to the airport," Councilman George Hall added.

Shirey's Evaluations

The announcement came just as Shirey's evaluations were released to the public late Tuesday morning. The five council members gave Shirey three "satisfactory" evaluations, one "exceptional" and one "fair" rating for an overall score of 59 on a scale of 10 to 100.

Shirey denied that he timed his announcement ahead of the less-than-glowing evaluations, calling it a "coincidence."

Three council members criticized Shirey for lacking initiative in taking care of several projects within the city, and two of the evaluations docked him for the handling of former Parks and Recreation Director Tony Anderson's and former Police Chief Frank Mercurio's episodes before they resigned.

"(I) get the idea that C.B. is not satisfied in (his) current position," Hall wrote in his evaluation of Shirey. Hall and Mayor Sharon Schuler could not be reached Tuesday for comment on the evaluations, though both gave "satisfactory" ratings.

Councilman Doug Eason, who did not comment on the evaluation, gave the sole "exceptional" rating. Council member Brenda Gray gave the most critical evaluation, giving Shirey a "fair" rating. Even then, she and fellow council member Joe Wright said Tuesday that they thought he could do better as an airport manager because of what they both described as a narrower focus with the airport.

"It's hard to handle both of them," Gray said, referring to the airport and the rest of the city. "Since the airport is his passion anyway ... I thought he would do that well on that."

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