Mayor-elect Andy Berke cleans house at Chattanooga's City Hall

photo Chattanooga City Hall

LEAVING OFFICEThe following department administrators and staff will leave when Mayor-elect Andy Berke takes office Monday:RetiringDan Johnson, chief of staffSusan Dubose, personnel directorSteve Leach, public works administratorMark Keil, Information Services directorMarie Chinery, deputy to the chief of staffRandy Parker, fire chiefBeverly Johnson, neighborhood services administratorResigningMissy Crutchfield, Eeducation, Arts & Culture administratorMike McMahan, city attorneyDan Thornton, General Services directorBeverly Cosley, Office of Multicultural Affairs directorLarry Zehnder, Parks and Recreation directorBoyd Patterson, gang task force directorFred Houser, gang task force coordinatorMatt Lea, special assistant to the mayorKathie Fulgham, special assistant to the mayorRon Swafford, director of human servicesAnita Ebersole, deputy to the mayorSource: Mayor-elect Andy Berke

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Mayor-elect Andy Berke swept out City Hall on Wednesday, letting go 18 of 21 people who served under Mayor Ron Littlefield.

At a three-minute news conference, Berke said he soon will announce appointments to fill key administrative and staff positions.

"Today is about respect for the employees," he said. "These people have done a lot for the city."

He said each administrator or staff member had been assigned departure days based upon their needs.

Two administrators contacted Wednesday said they had been told to be out of their offices by the end of the day Friday.

Parks and Recreation Director Larry Zehnder said he was frustrated at not being given a chance to stay on as director after 40 years of work in the parks and recreation field and 12 years serving the city.

"The reward I get is to be out of here by Friday," he said.

Public Works Administrator Steve Leach also said he had been told to be gone by Friday afternoon.

He said he knew what the outcome could be when he took the job.

"I signed on eight years ago, and I knew the possibilities," he said.

Both department heads said they had made no decision on future plans.

City Attorney Mike McMahan made a brief statement.

"It's been an honor and a pleasure to service the city for 39 years, and I wish everyone the best," he said.

Other administrators, such as Department of Education, Arts & Culture Administrator Missy Crutchfield, Neighborhood Services Administrator Beverly Johnson and Fire Chief Randy Parker, could not be reached for comment.

A news release sent out by Berke's campaign said three employees -- Finance Director Daisy Madison, City Treasurer Gayle Keown and Deputy Personnel Administrator Richard Beeland, the former spokesman for the mayor -- would stay on.

One person's future is still up in the air. Former Deputy to the Mayor Anita Ebersole on Wednesday was named the new 311 director at a salary of $98,538 annually.

But it's unclear whether she will stay in that position. Berke said Wednesday he's still evaluating the position of 311 director.

"I don't know the contours of that position," he said.

Berke said the transition team he appointed still is looking at the city's organizational structure.

Contact staff writer Cliff Hightower at chightower@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480. Follow him at twitter.com/cliffhightower or facebook.com/cliff.hightower.

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