Demoted city official placed on leave

SOUTH PORTLAND — South Portland’s director of economic development, Erik Carson, was placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 15.

Carson is still listed as assistant city manager on the staff directory of the city website, but Human Resources Director Don Brewer confirmed Tuesday that Carson’s title and salary were both downgraded “about six months ago.”

Although he retained his office next to that of City Manager Jim Gailey, Carson went from being both assistant manager and economic development director to just director of community development. At that time, Carson’s pay dropped from $40.14 per hour to $35.68. He received the same 1.5 percent pay raise all non-union employees in South Portland got July 1, boosting his rate to $36.22 per hour, which he is now collecting while on leave.

Carson did not have a contract. Gailey made the change in Carson’s status unilaterally, said Brewer. Regarding the more recent action, Brewer declined to say if Gailey made that decision on his own, as well. Gailey is on vacation this week and was unavailable for comment. Finance Director Greg L’Heureux is acting in Gailey’s stead during his absence, and has been the No. 2 man in the city since Carson’s demotion.

Neither Brewer, speaking Tuesday, nor L’Heureux, on Monday, would comment on why Carson was put on administrative leave. Both declined to say if Carson might eventually return to his duties, or if the city is working to effect a permanent separation.

“I can only say that things are in the works,” said L’Heureux.

“Erik has not separated from the city at this point,” said Brewer. “He is currently still employed by the city, but that’s really all I can say at this point because it is a personnel issue.”

Despite Brewer’s assertions that Carson is still on the payroll, elected officials in South Portland seem to be operating under the assumption that he has been terminated.

“I found out that he was no longer with us during my weekly meeting with the city manager,” said Mayor Patti Smith, referring to an Aug. 22 meeting with Gailey.

Councilor Gerard Jalbert said he learned of Carson’s apparent dismissal on Monday, Aug.20, assuming a termination had taken place the previous Friday.

Neither Smith nor Jalbert would offer comment regarding Carson’s change of status. Attempts to contact Carson for comment were unsuccessful.

Carson was hired by South Portland in March 2008, having previously served as economic development director in Westbrook. He also played an early organizing role in the Greater Portland Economic Development Corp.

Brewer declined to say if and when South Portland’s economic development job might be advertised.

“That will be up to Jim [Gailey].” he said.