Danny Jones Out of Control

May 16, 2008
Health Department chief out
Executive director resigns, citing 'politics, personalities and pathos'
Frustrated with a political spat over moving the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, the agency's executive director resigned Thursday.
By Eric Eyre
Staff writer



Frustrated with a political spat over moving the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, the agency's executive director resigned Thursday.

Dr. Kerry Gateley, who was hired five years ago, declined to comment on his decision to step down, but he released a copy of his two-page resignation letter.

"The events of the past several months have gotten my attention and convinced me that I am not the right person to lead the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department," Gateley wrote.

"Charleston/Kanawha County's peculiar combination of politics, personalities and pathos requires someone with a different sense of priorities and propriety than I have."

For months, health board members have sparred with city and county officials over a proposal to move the Health Department to make way for a new downtown hotel. Gateley managed to avoid the fray, for the most part, but he was upset about the political pressure to move the agency's headquarters.


Gateley said he hasn't found a new job, but was looking for a health director's post "from Virginia to Washington State."

After a 30-minute closed-door session, health board members accepted Gateley's resignation "with regret" and announced they would search for an interim director.

"Dr. Gateley said it's not about money, and it's not about another job," said Brenda Isaac, a health board member. "He said it wasn't an atmosphere he wanted to work in."

Earlier during Thursday's meeting, board members tentatively approved moving the department to a former Morris Street warehouse beside Appalachian Power Park. The move is contingent upon the Health Department building being sold at a public auction. The board also has requested public comment.

Health department employees oppose the move to Morris Street, and they said Thursday they were disappointed their boss was leaving.

"I'm upset. I'm upset about everything," said Randi Neurman, a department sanitarian. "He's been a good director. What a mess."

Gateley predicted finding an interim director wouldn't be easy.
"I can't offer you much help because I am reluctant to recommend that a colleague step into such an unsettled situation," he said in his resignation letter. His last day will be July 10.

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said it would not be difficult to find a new health department chief - either permanent or temporary.
"I know several doctors interested in the position," Jones said.

Last week, the mayor announced that he is replacing health board President Dr. Steven Artz with City Councilman Bobby Reishman when Artz's term expires June 30.

Jones alleged that Artz didn't want to sell the Health Department property.

Artz said Thursday that the proposed move to the Morris Street building was "fraught with problems." He abstained when fellow board members voted to support the move.

"Instead of focusing on moving forward, we're now forced to focus on moving to another facility," said Artz, who served 21 years as a health board member. "Whenever you allow political decisions to take priority over public health, or when you hold health funding hostage to political agendas, it's ultimately the people that suffer - the sickest, poorest and neediest."

Last month, Jones, who accused some health board members of stalling the proposed move, persuaded council members to slash by half the city's annual contribution to the Health Department, and place the other $100,000 in a contingency fund. The mayor also sent city Finance Director Joe Estep to examine the department's financial books.

Last year, Jones and Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper suggested moving the department from its longtime home on Lee Street across from the Charleston Civic Center. Cross Lanes developers wanted to build a semi-upscale hotel on the site.
The developers later dropped the proposal, but Jones and other city officials continued to work to move the department's headquarters to the city-owned Morris Street warehouse.
On Thursday, health board members urged Gateley to stay and offered to boost his $163,000 salary.
But Gateley said his decision to step down was final, not a negotiating ploy, according to the resignation letter.
"He's done an outstanding job," Isaac said. "He moved the department forward. My biggest fear is staff will start looking for other positions."
Carper also urged Gateley not to resign.
"It's unfortunate," Carper said after the meeting. "They've had a history of people coming and going, and they've had difficulties in the past. Dr. Gateley did a very adequate job, and I would have preferred he stay."
Gateley was hired as the Health Department's executive director in 2003, replacing Dr. Donald Rosenberg, who served as interim director after former agency chief Dr. James Felsen was fired by the board.
Health board members gave no timetable for finding an interim director. "Sometimes when people give you lemons," said Isaac, "you're going to have to make lemonade."
To contact staff writer Eric Eyre, use e-mail or call 348-4869.

Frustrated with a political spat over moving the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, the agency's executive director resigned Thursday.
Dr. Kerry Gateley, who was hired five years ago, declined to comment on his decision to step down, but he released a copy of his two-page resignation letter.
"The events of the past several months have gotten my attention and convinced me that I am not the right person to lead the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department," Gateley wrote. "Charleston/Kanawha County's peculiar combination of politics, personalities and pathos requires someone with a different sense of priorities and propriety than I have."
For months, health board members have sparred with city and county officials over a proposal to move the Health Department to make way for a new downtown hotel. Gateley managed to avoid the fray, for the most part, but he was upset about the political pressure to move the agency's headquarters.
Gateley said he hasn't found a new job, but was looking for a health director's post "from Virginia to Washington State."
After a 30-minute closed-door session, health board members accepted Gateley's resignation "with regret" and announced they would search for an interim director.
"Dr. Gateley said it's not about money, and it's not about another job," said Brenda Isaac, a health board member. "He said it wasn't an atmosphere he wanted to work in."
Earlier during Thursday's meeting, board members tentatively approved moving the department to a former Morris Street warehouse beside Appalachian Power Park. The move is contingent upon the Health Department building being sold at a public auction. The board also has requested public comment.
Health department employees oppose the move to Morris Street, and they said Thursday they were disappointed their boss was leaving.
"I'm upset. I'm upset about everything," said Randi Neurman, a department sanitarian. "He's been a good director. What a mess."
Gateley predicted finding an interim director wouldn't be easy.
"I can't offer you much help because I am reluctant to recommend that a colleague step into such an unsettled situation," he said in his resignation letter. His last day will be July 10.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said it would not be difficult to find a new health department chief - either permanent or temporary.
"I know several doctors interested in the position," Jones said.
Last week, the mayor announced that he is replacing health board President Dr. Steven Artz with City Councilman Bobby Reishman when Artz's term expires June 30.

Jones alleged that Artz didn't want to sell the Health Department property.

Artz said Thursday that the proposed move to the Morris Street building was "fraught with problems." He abstained when fellow board members voted to support the move.
"Instead of focusing on moving forward, we're now forced to focus on moving to another facility," said Artz, who served 21 years as a health board member. "Whenever you allow political decisions to take priority over public health, or when you hold health funding hostage to political agendas, it's ultimately the people that suffer - the sickest, poorest and neediest."

Last month, Jones, who accused some health board members of stalling the proposed move, persuaded council members to slash by half the city's annual contribution to the Health Department, and place the other $100,000 in a contingency fund. The mayor also sent city Finance Director Joe Estep to examine the department's financial books.

Last year, Jones and Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper suggested moving the department from its longtime home on Lee Street across from the Charleston Civic Center. Cross Lanes developers wanted to build a semi-upscale hotel on the site.
The developers later dropped the proposal, but Jones and other city officials continued to work to move the department's headquarters to the city-owned Morris Street warehouse.

On Thursday, health board members urged Gateley to stay and offered to boost his $163,000 salary.

But Gateley said his decision to step down was final, not a negotiating ploy, according to the resignation letter.
"He's done an outstanding job," Isaac said. "He moved the department forward. My biggest fear is staff will start looking for other positions."

Carper also urged Gateley not to resign.

"It's unfortunate," Carper said after the meeting. "They've had a history of people coming and going, and they've had difficulties in the past. Dr. Gateley did a very adequate job, and I would have preferred he stay."

Gateley was hired as the Health Department's executive director in 2003, replacing Dr. Donald Rosenberg, who served as interim director after former agency chief Dr. James Felsen was fired by the board.
Health board members gave no timetable for finding an interim director. "Sometimes when people give you lemons," said Isaac, "you're going to have to make lemonade."

To contact staff writer Eric Eyre, use e-mail or call 348-4869.

Aaron wrote:I think the citizens of Charleston need to re-think their mayoral choice.

Aaron wrote:Yes is is. And so is removing our leaders for failure to carry out the duties of their duly elected office. Withholding legally apportioned funds becasue an agency won't bend to your dictorial rule is reason enough for the city council to begin the impeachment process against Mr. Jones, don't you agree Frank!!!

ziggy wrote:
And since the state legisltaure ( and Constitution?) does not allow WV citizens the privilege of direct recall of its errant public officials, we are almost always stuck with the political scumbags until at least the next election. And Jones knows the political landscape of Charleston better than you and I do.