Schwab Surrenders Post.

Former Grand Terrace city manager to retire
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/27/2009 06:46:02 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Former City Manager Tom Schwab doesn't want his job back after all.
Schwab has decided to retire when his six-month contract as a part-time consultant ends June 30.

Schwab, who became city manager in 1989, suffered a life-threatening brain injury known as a subdural hematoma nearly a year ago. His job is being filled on a temporary basis by acting City Manager Steve Berry, who is also the assistant city manager.

Schwab's decision comes about a month after he made an impassioned plea to the City Council asking for his job back.

The 51-year-old Grand Terrace resident told the council at that time he had fully recovered from his injury and his doctors cleared him to return to work full time.

But the situation changed when the council decided in closed session two weeks ago to begin a recruitment process to pick a new city manager.

The council encouraged Schwab and Berry to apply for the position, which is also open to other candidates. The council is expected to appoint a city manager around Oct. 1.

Schwab is being paid $45,000 to work as a consultant on the 2009-10 budget. He said he has run out of vacation and sick leave and hopes to start receiving his retirement pay by Aug. 1.

"Ultimately, I wanted my job back, but it seemed pretty clear that wasn't going to happen," Schwab said in a phone interview Wednesday. "If they were going to hire me, why would they wait until October?"

Schwab said the controversy over the position is unhealthy for the community.
"There's an awful lot of angry people that support me and there's some people that (support) Steve," Schwab said. "I think it's dividing our community."

On Tuesday, the council met in closed session and agreed to accept Schwab's proposal that would allow him to retire.

The proposal is not public until it is put in writing and signed, which is expected to take about a week, City Attorney John Harper said Wednesday.

Mayor Maryetta Ferre said she delivered a memo to city staff on Wednesday afternoon explaining the council's decision to honor Schwab's request for retirement.

"It is with regret that he is retiring," Ferre said. "I'm pleased we can honor his request."

stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3916

Note: One hopes the City and Schwab has paid into a Retirement Fund and his retirement is already paid for and it is not a drag on the future budget. He should get no more or less than what has been contracted for in his last employment contract in terms of Retirment Compensation.

There are people who support NEITHER BERRY OR SCHWAB... and they clearly have cause.