Resolution to give Cambridge commissioners more hiring power fails to move forward

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Residents in Cambridge are now breathing a sigh of relief after Commissioner Dave Cannon announced at the beginning of Monday night’s council meeting, that he was no longer supporting the amendment of the city’s charter to give the council more control in the city managers hiring process.

“I think that it’s always an indication when the room is packed that people have some concerns about what’s going on,” said Cambridge resident Jim Culver.

Cannon had originally voted in favor of the amendment along with Commissioners La-Shon Foster and Donald Sydnor who tell 47 ABC the change would’ve allowed the council to review the candidates the city manager picked to ensure they’re the right fit for the position.

“We’ve had people hired where their subordinates had more qualifications than they had. If that application had come before the city council, we could’ve said, ‘Hey can you rethink this you know, take a look at this.’ We have to have some say in order to effectively and efficiently serve our community,” Foster said.

But other commissioners and residents disagreed.

“We’re part-time elected officials. We’re not experts in management of employees,” said Commissioner Stephen Rideout.

With Cannon’s announcement,  the first reading of the amendment was taken off of Monday night’s agenda. And because the majority of commissioners are now against it, the process to vote on the change won’t be moving forward. And it’s something residents are happy to hear.

“I think that’s the system we should continue to have and I’m very happy about tonight’s decision,” said Cambridge resident Allen Shinn.

City officials say that because the discussion was taken off the table, they will not have to move forward with holding a public hearing on the proposed amendment. They add that it can only move forward if there’s a majority of commissioners who are in favor of the resolution.