The Hot Springs Board of Directors unanimously accepted City Manager David Frasher's resignation Tuesday night following allegations of racially insensitive remarks he made last week to a Hot Springs School District administrator in the gated community where they both live.
Frasher told the board Tuesday night he didn't want the incident to interfere with progress the city has made since he came to City Hall in March 2016 after the Oregon City Commission fired him the previous October. A letter Oregon City provided The Sentinel-Record last year attributed Frasher's termination to a strained relationship with the commission after allegations that he made "racially insensitive remarks."
Mayor Pat McCabe said Frasher suggested tendering his resignation during the almost three-hour executive session the board convened to discuss disciplining Frasher for comments he made June 7 to Lloyd Jackson, deputy superintendent for Hot Springs schools, who is black.
According to emails the newspaper obtained Monday from the city and Jackson, Frasher shouted "You don't live here" at Jackson's vehicle as it left the Red Oak Ridge subdivision community pool. The official statement Frasher issued Monday said Jackson sped out of the pool driveway while Frasher was walking to the pool with his daughter and dog.
Both men live in the gated community off Carpenter Dam Road.
Frasher told the board it would be better served by a new chief executive.
"I just want to thank the staff team and each of you for allowing me to serve this great community," Frasher, holding back tears, told the board. "I really enjoyed my time here. I don't think in my almost 30 some years of public service I've seen an organization get more done in a shorter period of time than we have.
"Sometimes when you get a lot done in a short time you burn out a little earlier than you want to. I also am mindful, and I know all of you are, that when we make mistakes in life, and I made one the other day, sometimes the price of healing that simply means it make you less effective in your role.
"The most important thing for our city is to have someone who could be effective with all segments of the community. I think you'd be well served by getting a fresh face in here who can start and keep going with all the great things we've done"
The board named Deputy City Manager Bill Burrough interim city manager. According to severance terms in Frasher's employment agreement, he's entitled to one year's salary and benefits. The board approved a $170,856 salary for Frasher at the start of the year.
Local on 06/13/2018