Wednesday, January 28, 2004
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Wednesday, January 28, 2004 |
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‘Fred’ vacancies down to one as PCTA fills Rutherford’s job By J. FRANK LYNCH The amphitheater has an office manager again, and it’s not Judi-ann Rutherford. Thursday night, the Peachtree City Tourism Association voted unanimously to offer the interim office manager job at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater to Lisa Marie Waslis of Fayetteville. They began advertising locally and in national trade publications for a new amphitheater director to replace Donna Romeo on Monday. Romeo was terminated Jan. 18 just hours before the PCTA officially took over operations at the concert venue and Peachtree City Tennis Center. Rutherford was elected to the City Council in November, but had to resign her job as office manager at the amphitheater on Jan. 2 because Peachtree City’s temporary contract to run the facilities had not expired. The city’s charter forbids elected officers from holding any position of employment with the city. When the Tourism Association took the hand-off for the venues Jan. 19, some interpreted that to mean Rutherford was free to get her job back. Reached at home Thursday night, Rutherford confirmed that she applied and went through the interview process. But at the last minute, she withdrew her name in a letter delivered to City Manager Bernie McMullen immediately before the board met to make its choice. In the letter, Rutherford wrote, “upon further consideration I believe that it is in the best interests of the city of Peachtree City and myself if I withdraw from consideration ...” Rutherford did not explain further when asked Thursday night, but did repeat her committment to serving on the council despite the complications of losing her job. “Running for city council was my choice, and we accept the choices we make,” she said. Meanwhiel, Rapson said the board of directors plans to ask Rutherford to enter into a 60-day consulting contract to “help assure a smooth transition to Waslis and to aide in a successful Summer Season.” Waslis joins the amphitheater’s lone employee Customer Service Administrator Peggy Schnitzer, who has worked solo since Romeo’s firing. Rapson credited Schnitzer for keeping things running during the confusing past few days. Waslis was self-employed as a small business consultant prior to accepting the tourism association offer. She comes to the position with previous marketing and entertainment background.
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