The Borough of Tyrone has scheduled a special meeting for tonight at 6 p.m., and among the agenda items is the employment status of Borough manager, Nathan George.
He was not at his office on Thursday when a call was placed to him there. Borough secretary Kim Murray also said he was not expected to be in on Friday. She also confirmed the borough held two executive sessions earlier this week for the purpose of discussing personnel issues.
Also earlier this week, the borough placed legal advertisements in The Daily Herald. One ad, announced the cancellation of the borough council regular meetings on Monday, June 14 and Tuesday, July 6.
Later, another ad was placed announcing tonight’s special meeting. The ad states, “The purpose of the meeting involves a personnel issue.” The ad also describes other business to be handled at the meeting.
An agenda for the special meeting lists, the wording “employment status” next to the words, “borough manager.”
George was reached at his home shortly after 8 o’clock this morning and was asked about his situation.
“I’m not able to comment at this time,” said George.
He indicated he would speak with The Daily Herald at a later time when he is able to do so. He also said he did plan to be in attendance at tonight’s meeting.
There is speculation George may offer his resignation at the meeting.
He came to Tyrone from Nebraska, he had been hired in December of last year. George assumed his duties in January at a salary of $45,000. He filled the manager’s position which had been vacated in February of 2003 by Alfred Drayovitch.
Prior to coming to Tyrone, George’s experience included city management internships in both Utah and Nebraska.
In his position in Elkhorn NE, he was responsible for grant writing, projected year-end forecasts, participated in a $12.6 million dollar budget process and developed department head performance evaluations. He also worked as a research assistant for Community Development Block Grant funding.
George is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with local government emphasis. He also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Brigham Young University and an Associate in Arts Degree in General Education from Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho, according to information released by the borough at the time of his hiring.
A consensus statement from Tyrone Borough released last December, indicated he would bring a vast knowledge of technical skills, including web design and site maintenance, statistical analysis, GIS and census data. It also said he would be responsible for installing and modifying building permit software, training the staff and providing software support.
At the time of his hiring, George said, it was “wonderful” and he was “very excited.”
He had visited the area once prior to his hiring and said, Tyrone was, in his words, “a nice community with a government and council I’m impressed with, it has a council that wants to work with and has a strong feeling toward the community.”
After his first appearance at a borough council meeting in January, George said, “I’m happy to be here and enjoying the hospitality of Tyrone so far.”
In January, Mayor Patricia Stoner offered her thoughts about George.
“He’s a quick study, he already knows more about the borough than many people who live here,” said the mayor.
An attempt was made to reach the mayor at the municipal building this morning, but she did not return the call prior to press time.
In addition to the status of the borough manager, other issues on tonight’s agenda include the appointment of certain borough council members to sign or act as a signatory for borough documents and accounts.
Also on the agenda are the awarding of bids for chemicals, fuel, stone, patch paving and other items. The award of lead base paint services, the approval of additional funding for a HOME program applicant and a request from Joshua House.
