Amid controversy, officials elected

PORTMSOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Despite calls from the mayor and citizens for equal opportunity hiring, a local city council picked two officials without an open hiring process.

Interim City Manager John Rowe was named full-time city manager and Acting City Attorney George Wilson was named full-time city attorney. Rowe and Wilson were the only candidates for their jobs.

Mayor Kenny Wright did not approve of Rowe and Wilson because they did not go through an open application process where others could apply for the jobs.

"You should always open your process even from within," Wright said Tuesday. "That gives them a leg up because we know who they are and what their capabilities are, but on all our city documents we say we are an equal opportunity employer."

The city auditor position, also up for selection Tuesday, was open to outside applicants.

State Senator Louise Lucas (D-VA) was also in attendance to discuss Councilman Danny Meeks' comments last month about who controls Portsmouth.

Meeks said "black ministers, special interest groups and Sen. Louise Lucas have too much control."

"I was terribly upset, especially when here I was off in the General Assembly carrying their legislative package, and they're slammin' me while I'm working for them, and I didn't appreciate that." Lucas told 10 On Your Side.

Meeks declined comment but told WAVY.com he and Lucas are set to meet Wednesday. Wright said he will be meeting with council to discuss best practices and future procedures.

Council also voted to restore their opposition to the Downtown and Midtown tolls set to begin next year, and declared their support for the lawsuits against them.