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“Month of Margaret” Roberts
August 5-11, 2020
BY HOLLY KAYS Onieal’s contract and its eventual hiring of STAFF WRITER current Town Manager Rob Hites. That was ylva Town Manager Paige Dowling is Morgan’s fifth interim gig, and last year he currently out on maternity leave, but finished up another such post in Henderson Sylva will be in experienced hands County’s Laurel Park, where he served as until her return. interim town manager from December During a meeting on Thursday, July 9, 2018 until May 2019. the town board voted unanimously to The Sylva board voted July 9 to move appoint Mike Morgan as interim town $32,100 from fund balance to cover the cost manager. Morgan, who retired in 2010 after of Morgan’s contract, which provides that 18 years as town manager for Weaverville, has spent the decade since filling a series of interim manager spots in towns across the region and has a particularly strong connection to Sylva. After his retirement from Weaverville, Morgan worked as an adjunct faculty member at Western Carolina University’s Masters of Public Administration program. One of his students was Sylva native Paige Dowling, who graduated in 2012, the Mike Morgan stands outside town hall following his 2016 same year that she was appointment as interim manager for the Town of Waynesville. hired on as Sylva town File photo manager at the age of 25. Dowling and Morgan didn’t just work together in the classroom — they worked together in he receive $70 per hour given in bi-weekly the real world as well. Dowling’s hire as pay periods. He is to work no more than 24 town manager came following a vacancy hours per week with a maximum of eight during which she served as assistant town hours per day. manager alongside the interim town manMorgan’s contract also states that he can ager. That interim manager just happened be reimbursed for any “necessary and reato be Mike Morgan. sonable” lodging, meals and incidentals “We really appreciate you coming out of related to his employment. He will also be your retirement to help the Town of Sylva provided with a town vehicle or receive once again,” Mayor Lynda Sossamon said reimbursement for miles traveled to and during the July 9 meeting. from the town and while conducting town “It is my honor to do so,” Morgan business. The town will reimburse him for replied. “Thank you so much.” use of his personal cell phone as well. In 2016, Morgan led the town of Dowling’s maternity leave began July 12 Waynesville in the months between the and is expected to total at least two months, town board’s decision to terminate Marcy though no specific date is set for her return.
AUGUST IS A
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Morgan serving second round as Sylva’s interim manager
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