Mayor Coley issues statement following concerns about Redding’s permanent placement

Cochran Mayor Carla Coley has issued a statement following concerns surrounding Interim City Manager Angela Redding.

Redding, who took office in April following the departure of former city manager Richard Newbern, has been the subject of criticism in the last couple of weeks as residents began questioning whether or not her position as city manager should become a permanent one. 

In September, Cochran City Council voted to terminate their partnership with a third-party hiring firm who they had previously agreed to use in their search for a permanent city manager after Newbern’s resignation. The firm was previously used before hiring both Newbern and another former city manager, Ray Gibson.

Following the decision, residents have spoken out against the interim city manager’s permanent placement, citing issues with her communication, job history and overall investment in Cochran.

Probably the largest criticism Cochranites point to when discussing whether or not her position should become permanent, is that Redding doesn’t currently reside in Cochran. 

“She does not live in Cochran nor have a vested interest in our city, other than her paycheck,” one resident wrote. “As my great grandmother used to say, ‘She has no dog in this hunt.’ Cochran is a paycheck – for which she commutes.”

Others point to her previous job history. In February, Redding was let go from her position as the city manager in Cordele for reasons the TJP could not verify.

Two months later, Redding began her role as the interim city manager of Cochran.

Coley issued a public statement on Monday, writing:

“The past two weeks have been difficult for our community and for me personally. In light of social media posts and circulating rumors, I want to clarify what happened and share my heart with you.

“Cochran’s City Manager resigned in February, effective March 13.  The same day that he resigned, Council and I immediately went to work. We advertised the City Manager position on multiple municipal job sites and sought experienced interim candidates from trusted sources. A panel of three council members, the outgoing City Clerk, and I interviewed two interested candidates, but both declined the position. We then received Angela Redding’s name. 

“A panel interviewed Mrs. Redding and recommended her to the full Council. After consulting with the City Attorney, we asked Mrs. Redding to begin the most critical task facing the city at the time – working on the next year’s budget…

“After Mr. Newbern’s resignation in February, Council agreed to use an outside executive hiring firm to search for a permanent City Manager, as it had done for Cochran’s previous two City Managers, Ray Gibson and Richard Newbern. At its September regular meeting, Council reversed their initial decision and voted 5–1 against using a firm for this search.

“I want to be clear about my role: I cannot direct Council. The decisions about appointing a City Manager and a City Clerk belong to the City Council. I have listened to multiple segments of our community, and based on their concerns and my personal experience, I disagree with not hiring an outside, third-party firm to search for the best qualified candidate for Cochran, but Council has voted, and it will decide how to proceed. This is not a statement against Mrs. Redding.  It is my heart for Cochran and ensuring we explore every avenue available to us.”

In the statement, Coley also spoke on allegations that her position was based on race.

“Many truths have been stated over the past two weeks, but I have also read and heard false statements and troubling racial allegations,” she wrote. “No decision should ever be about race or politics. City Manager is a nonpartisan, non-elected position. Whoever serves must be qualified, guided by a strong moral compass, invested in our community, and committed to what is best for Cochran, regardless of skin color, religion, or ethnic background. I will support a strong leader who meets those standards.  And my opinion is that a person who lives, works, buys goods, and has friend groups in our community is truly invested in Cochran.”

Issues surrounding Redding’s communication, history and overall investment in the city started circulating in September. 

Since the City Council’s decision last month, some Cochranites are calling on the city to review their hiring process altogether. 

“There needs to be a review of the qualifications to be the city manager and a process in place to go above the city manager,” one wrote in Coley’s comments. “Business owners would be willing to provide a list so long it would be staggering of the issues surrounding the city management and business issues in Cochran.”