Who could manage High Springs?

Prior to the November election, four out of five members of the High Springs City Commission didn’t think Jim Drumm could handle the job as city manager.  And Acting City Manager Jenny Parham doesn’t want the job. The commission, including two newly elected commissioners, has now scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. at City Hall to discuss options.

The city, known for its small-town charm, has a chance at a fresh start.

Commissioners Sue Weller and Byran Williams spent much of their first meeting last Thursday rallying for community organizations, businesses and government to work with, rather than against, each other to improve the city.

But High Springs still needs a city manager, and the entire commission agreed it has to decide what to do about filling the position.

During the Nov. 18 regular meeting, new commissioner Sue Weller asked to add a new agenda item to discuss the city manager’s position. But before the meeting reached that item, a resident addressed the commission asking what had to be done to bring back Drumm.

Newly elected Mayor Larry Travis suggested, given the magnitude of the issue, they should hold a special meeting to address it properly.

Commissioners and city staff then determined the earliest date possible and even turned to the audience for approval before setting a time in the afternoon, which is usually avoided because it is within regular business hours when people are still at work. But no one objected.

Bruce Borders, an outspoken citizen who came to tears as he spoke against Drumm’s firing at a prior meeting, could be heard from the back of the room chanting “Do it now.”

Drumm was also in the audience but remained quiet.

He, like Borders and everyone else, will have to wait until next week to see if the commission will try to bring him back.