The formerdirector of Whitehall's nascent Department of Neighborhoods resigned from the position after just 5½ months because it "wasn't a good fit," according to personnel files and other documents reviewed by The Dispatch.
Gerald Wright, who was hired to head the department in March, resigned Aug. 31, more than a week after he texted Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens and told him that he would be "concluding his work with the city." He said that he would make sure that all materials, files, and responsibilities are handed off "cleanly and professionally."
According to Gayle Saunders, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, Wright told Bivens during a phone call on Aug. 22 that "the pace, volume, and operational environment of municipal government
were not the best long-term fit for his professional style." Wright made it clear that his decision to resign "was not prompted by a particular incident and was not about the Mayor, the administration, or the department," Saunders said.
On Aug. 31, after Bivens learned that Wright would not be at City Hall that week, Bivens told Wright that he would be making Wright's resignation "immediate" to ensure a "seamless transfer," according to text messages between Bivens and Wright that were reviewed by The Dispatch.
"In good faith, I hope you can understand that I need to move your last day of service to the City [to Aug. 31], Bivens wrote. "I have truly appreciated our time together and pray for your continued success and prosperity."
According to an exit interview and other documents reviewed by The Dispatch, Wright wrote that there was a "lack of clarity and structure" either in his role as director or with the department. There was also a question that asked if Wright would like to make any additional comments. In response, he wrote that he liked the city of Whitehall and would advise the Department of Neighborhoods, but said that the role of director was "not a good fit." He also said that Whitehall is a great place to work.
As part of the exit interview, Wright also completed a checklist rating various aspects of working for the city. He rated employee morale, communication, opportunities for advancement and recognition for work as "poor." However, Wright did not indicate in the interview or his additional written comments that those concerns prompted his resignation.
Wright rated only two aspects of working for Whitehall as "excellent": rapport with coworkers and access to equipment, supplies and resources. He rated rapport with his supervisor, working conditions and training opportunities as "good."
In an emailed statement to The Dispatch, Bivens said that the city respected Wright's decision to resign and that they appreciate the work he contributed to Whitehall. He also said they would take the comments Wright left in his exit interview and learn from them.
"Gerald assumed leadership of a newly created department during an unusually challenging period for the department," Bivens said. "Its funding was the subject of significant Council debate,and the city subsequently experienced a contentious recall election in which the department itself became an issue. Those circumstances are part of the public record. I will not speculate whether or how any of them influenced Gerald’s personal assessment."
"The Department of Neighborhoods will continue its important work," Bivens added, "and we wish [Wright] success in what comes next."
When asked if Wright's resignation disrupted the work of the department, Saunders said "absolutely not."
"The work [at the Department of Neighborhoods] continues without interruption," Saunders said. "Mr. Wright's contributions are appreciated and a strong foundation has been built for the department."
After Wright's resignation, the city hired Chet Ridenour in September to head the Department of Neighborhoods. Ridenour is a community engagement leader and founder of the Good Neighbor Network, an organization that encourages neighbors to connect and share resources with each other, according to their website.
Ridenour is being paid the same salary as Wright, which was $98,000 annually, according to hiring records reviewed by The Dispatch.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Records shed light on sudden resignation of Whitehall Dept. of Neighborhoods leader
