CAPE CHARLES, Va. — As Cape Charles prepares to welcome its new Town Manager, Rick Keuroglian in May, citizens wanted to know more about his previous tenure in Georgetown, Colorado. While the town has expressed optimism about Keuroglian’s appointment, a review of past reports from the Clear Creek Courant, a newspaper covering Georgetown, Colorado, reveals a controversial departure from his last municipal role.
The Cape Charles Mirror requested (from the Town) Mr. Keuroglian’s contact information to obtain his side of the story, however, only personal information was available, and for privacy reasons, its release was problematic. It was not available as of this publication.
Research led to reporting by Chris Koeberl of the Courant, who allowed us to use excerpts from his coverage of Keuroglian’s tenure in Georgetown.
Chris Koeberl’s full articles can be read here and here. They can help provide context to the excerpts below:
In December, the Georgetown Board of Selectmen accepted the resignations of Keuroglian, who served as Town Administrator, and Town Treasurer Mary Sims, who had held the position for 23 years. Shortly afterward, Town Clerk Jennifer Yobski also resigned. The departures coincided with the abrupt resignation of Police Chief Dan Trechter, who had been hired just two weeks prior.
Keuroglian’s resignation came with a $70,000 severance package—half of his annual salary—along with three months of town-supported health care, according to Assistant Town Administrator Kazia Hart, who confirmed the details following a Colorado Open Records Act request.
“It became an unhappy, unhealthy place to be,” Sims told the Courant.
Former Interim Police Chief Jon Gaskins criticized town leadership, writing on Facebook, “This Board has attempted and failed to establish a functioning police department, with an exorbitant amount of money wasted in the process.”
Trechter, a former police official from Kansas, described his short time in Georgetown as a “nightmare.” In his resignation letter, he cited “significant failures in leadership at the town administrator level.” He accused Keuroglian and Sims of blocking budget expenditures and undermining the police department’s effectiveness.
“The problem was Rick throwing employees under the bus, playing employees against each other, and it wouldn’t stop,” Sims said in an interview with the Courant on Dec. 20.
Trechter, in his resignation letter, said he was told by Keuroglian that the police department was not a priority. “Your city administrator is failing you,” Trechter wrote. Sims attributed the Georgetown “debacle” to Keuroglian.
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Wow- this doesn’t sound like it bodes well for the town….! The Cape Charles administration has a history of similar infighting and scandal. On that note, what is the status of the case against the former assistant town manager, who also was married to the town’s top cop?
I can’t find anything on this. Can you point me to details on this suit?
Editor’s Note: The Mirror has asked the Town on several occasions to release information on this, but so far, they have told us this is protected confidential personnel information and is never releasable to the public.
Great, another government example of settling for status quo. Looks like we have a real leader coming folks :(.
Well, no different than the Council that appointed him.
If only they adopted the Trump “only merit based, best will do attitude “
I heard that the search agency that found the new Town Manager was paid $50,000 for their services. That seems like a lot of money to me. Is that true?
I wish your town the best of luck—this guy couldn’t manage his way out of a paper bag.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15wKY64HVF/
I believe that the Three Ring Circus known as Cape Charles exists primarily for entertainment value, with a lesson on how not to run a town included in the yucks and giggles.
We County residents appreciate the view from afar.
However; it’s too bad the good town residents are being flushed.
What I want to know is whether the Mayor and Town Council where made aware of the situation in Georgetown, Colorado regarding Mr. Keuroglian (New Cape Charles Town Manager) before he was hired? If not, why? At any point did Mr. Keuroglian disclose any of the circumstances surrounding his departure? Did the consultant disclose any of this?
I’m so glad I got away from that area. You just can’t make this stuff up. When in May does the comedy hour begin?
Not my monkey, not my cirus!
But I will be watching for a distance, cracking nuts and eating peanuts. Waiting for the arrival of Rick Keuroglian show.
I’m looking forward to the future Casino that’s said to be located where the concrete plant is currently located. Not to frequent, (I do not gamble), but for the weirdness of the pure greed and shenanigans involved in having it built. Should be interesting.
I suppose there are a number of folks jockeying for the potential $$$$$.
After reading both of those reports by Chris Koeberl I would most certainly be concerned if I were a Cape Charles Police Officer or town employee.
That being said, I suspect that he is exactly what the town council is looking for.
Northampton County Sheriff’s Office should also keep an eye on the developments. They are already running a bit shorthanded and having to take over to help Cape Charles save money could be problematic.
Regarding town administration, it seems the former assistant town manager – who was apparently embezzling funds. What the heck? Why no stories on this??