Gwaltney to Waynesboro?

Fear and Loathing in Waynesboro column by Chris Graham
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Will Jerry Gwaltney be Waynesboro’s next city manager? That’s what the rumor mill has cooking in Waynesboro this afternoon regarding the soon-to-be-open position.

Gwaltney, who served as city manager in Waynesboro for 10 years and most recently was city manager in Danville, resigned his Danville post in a surprise move last Wednesday morning.

Gwaltney, who had served as city manager in Danville since 2000, announced his resignation effective June 30. Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders told the Danville Register and Bee that he first heard the news of Gwaltney’s pending departure from a local news reporter who had called to confirm the news.

Another city-council member, Adam Tomer, said he was “shocked” to hear the news of Gwaltney’s resignation. “I knew he was coming to the time he would make the decision in the next couple of years, but I don’t think any of us anticipated it this year,” Tomer said.

The Gwaltney resignation came the morning after Waynesboro city manager Doug Walker resigned under pressure in Waynesboro. Walker’s resignation is also effective June 30.

City council is holding a closed session at its meeting this evening to discuss the appointment of an interim city manager. A notice of the closed session was sent to the local news media at 3:05 p.m. today.