The Payson Roundup / Payson gets new vice mayor, rec director

Archive for Tuesday, January 13, 2009

January 13, 2009

Still struggling to cut costs and reorganize, Payson now has both a new vice mayor and a new director of parks and recreation.

Tourism and Economic Vitality Director Cameron Davis has been named to head up a reorganized parks and recreation commission, in the wake of the December layoff of Rick Manchester, the former recreation director.

In another town hall shuffle, Councilman Ed Blair succeeded Su Connell as vice mayor at last week’s council meeting, with the unanimous approval of his fellow council members.

The council last year decided to rotate the vice mayor’s job every six months and give the vice mayor more responsibility for appointing people to boards and commissions. Previously, the mayor nominated people for spots on boards and commissions.

When nominated for the largely ceremonial post, Blair quipped, “What would be my budget for my inauguration?”

“The same as mine,” retorted Connell, “zero.”

“Could I at least have a street sweeper parade around the parking lot?” asked Blair.