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Grand Junction City Manager Resigns at Council's Request

by KREX News Room
by Hilary Martin

Story Created: Dec 15, 2011 at 1:05 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2011 at 10:05 PM MDT

Grand Junction - Grand Junction officials are announcing that they are parting ways with their city manager. In a press release issued on Thursday morning, officials say that the City Council has requested the resignation of Laurie Kadrich, expressing "a desire for new or different direction for the organization."

Mayor Tom Kenyon acknowledges, "A situation such as this is always difficult. Laurie is leaving the city in a very good place. We are grateful for her leadership and the many good things she brought to this organization."

The city wouldn't elaborate on the reason for Kadrich's resignation. However, a former city council member did. Gregg Plamer says a city manager usually stays with a city for four to six years, and Kadrich has been with the city for five. Although Kadrich was voted in by one council, that doesn't mean her managing style meshes with new councils.

"I know that some of the City Council people had wanted to be a lot more hands-on with items such as finance and budget. Some city managers hold their city budgets pretty close to their vest and others recognize that an elected official is ultimately responsible," said Palmer.

In a statement provided by the city, Kadrich says, "There are some fundamental philosophical differences between me and the City Council. Simply put, in the city manager line of work, that can mean the end of your employment. I will treasure my five years with the city of Grand Junction and am proud to have had this opportunity. This is a strong organization managed by extremely capable and caring people that I am honored to have worked with. I am confident they will continue on the solid course we have established together."

Kadrich is getting a severance package worth nearly $155,000, including a year of benefits.

Kadrich joined Grand Junction government as the deputy city manager on January 5, 2007, and was appointed city manager on July 18 of that year. Among the significant accomplishments of Kadrich's tenure are the completion of the Riverside Parkway, breaking ground on the city's public safety facility, and securing a minor league baseball team that will play in Grand Junction starting this summer.

City officials say a leadership transition plan will be determined later and information on that plan will released at that time. Palmer says hiring a consulting firm to do the hiring usually costs tens of thousands of dollars.

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ME said on Thursday, Dec 15 at 2:28 PM

i am sorry she is going she was the best City Manager we have had.

Mark said on Thursday, Dec 15 at 4:00 PM

Recall the lame City Council! Laurie was outstanding and did so much good for Grand Junction. Voters remember we can recall these lame city council members so full of themselves. Good luck Laurie. Grand Junction will miss you!

I hatelibs said on Thursday, Dec 15 at 4:03 PM

One down two to go. Coons and Camper need to be next

justice3 said on Thursday, Dec 15 at 11:22 PM

Only the beginning. now finish the job and get rid of the corrupt Camper, Zen, Coons and the deputy city manager.

Anonymous said on Friday, Dec 16 at 1:57 AM

Local politics at its best. People don't get along and get fired or just walk off the job. It doesn't matter if you are doing a good job or not, it matters if you spend enough time under the table.

Realist said on Friday, Dec 16 at 12:33 PM

I am so tired of the politicos running this area. These flunkies that get elected, some of which barely graduated high school are trying to tell a very well educated person how to do her job. How can these flunkies tell someone who recently took graduate level classes at Harvard how to run the City? Ms Kadrich has done an excellent job of creating jobs and keeping us in the black. She has taken advantage of a slower economy to complete some much needed capital improvement projects while shifting employees around without major layoffs. I don't know of Ms Kadrich's specific style, I only see the results. Ms Kadrich will be unemployed for a very short time, hec she probably has offers rolling in today! Laurie, we will miss you...a lot!!

observer said on Friday, Dec 16 at 4:52 PM

I've heard she is a control freak. The staff were afraid, deathly afraid of her and the bullying tactics. Many were fired or forced out. City manager should be hired/fired at the will of elected officials who are accountable to the voters.

tater said on Friday, Dec 16 at 6:49 PM

Oh come on realist. Attending graduate level classes at Harvard entitles you to Jack. Except the sheltering of real society and how it operates. Give me the business flunkie and Harvard gets booted to the back of the line.

Jerry & Jill said on Saturday, Dec 17 at 9:14 AM

Good for the council. Always tough to fire a looser. We watched first-hand her unethical dealing with the Tiara Rado Pinon Grill a year ago.

??? said on Saturday, Dec 17 at 9:21 AM

Is this going to be jacob richards new job? Maybe the search will last long enough that janet rowland can be 'appointed' when she's term limited out. Craig meis... no, probably would be held to some sort of accountability....

Mike said on Saturday, Dec 17 at 3:28 PM

Strong story, Hilary. Keep 'em coming!

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