In Seeking New City Leader, High Point Residents Have Their Say

The search continues in High Point  for a new city manager.

About 30 people attended a public forum yesterday to give feedback on what they want in the leadership position, but the conversation often turned to the hiring process itself.  

The search is being coordinated by Developmental Associates - a Durham consulting firm - at a price that could reach $23,000 dollars.. Speakers like Ross Lackey, an organic farmer in High Point, says the search should have been done in-house.

“The city of High Point, by hiring your firm, they acknowledge that we don't have the ability or skills to do this ourselves," he says. "So that represents a problem to me.”

Others focused more on what kind of city manager they want hired. Burdell Knight says she wants a manager who is “daring"; someone who will get out of the office and into the community, including her Washington Street neighborhood.

“They need to know that we're a neighborhood, and neighborhoods make up cities. I want a manager who can work with that,” she says.

The council is expected to choose the new manager in November.