Beckley Common Council selects city’s first city manager, but local candidate questions the process

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Beckley Common Council selected the city’s first city manager during the regular meeting of Council on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

A local candidate, Danielle Stewart, said prior to the announcement on Tuesday she and another local candidate applied and interviewed with Baker Tilley, the firm which fielded candidates for a selection committee, made up of city officials and community members.

“What I was told, later, from the hiring firm, is that the number one criteria that the committee considered is that it could not be anyone from Beckley,” Stewart said.

Even if the alleged residency criteria consideration was legal, Stewart said, it was not best for the city, in her opinion.

“What they really want is somebody that can come in and they can manipulate, and they are terrified that me, or another candidate from the city that applied, are going to be able to come in, know already what’s going on, and start doing the things that need to happen,” said Stewart.

Ward 1 Councilwoman, Natalie Coots said she and Ward 3 Councilman, Frank Williams briefly shown up for a meeting of the selection committee, shortly after being elected to their seats. They were told to leave because previously appointed members would stay on the committee.

Coots said, during her brief time at the meeting of the selection committee, she was not informed to consider residency.

She said she and Council were later provided a list of candidates, which they ranked and narrowed down to two candidates.

“I thought that all of the candidates had merits,” said Councilwoman Coots, prior to the Tuesday meeting. “The ones that we chose, I’m pretty sure the final two both had city manager experience.”

Stewart said she believes local candidates deserved equal consideration in the hiring process.

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