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Blankenship Announces Retirement, Mercer Next Up In Umatilla

    Umatilla City Manager Scott Blankenship is leaving his post.  Blankenship, who has led the day-to-day operations of the city since 2015 announced his retirement during the regular Umatilla City Council meeting on January 7.  His last day on the job is expected to be January 31.
    “It’s been an honor for me,” Blankenship said Tuesday, “But it’s time for me to retire.”
    Acting quickly, the council moved to appoint Aaron Mercer, the city’s current Director of Development and Public Services, to the post.
    Mercer and the council will work to formalize a contract that will see him take on the position in an interim basis for the coming year, starting February 1.
    Blankenship’s pending departure reverberated through the town government this week.
    “The City of Umatilla has thrived during Mr. Blankenship’s tenure,” said Umatilla Mayor Chris Creech.  “His exceptional leadership  has led this city to a new level of long-term sustainability in every aspect of our government.  He will be dearly missed in this role, we are blessed to have had him, and our future looks bight because of him.”
    Blankenship lives in Umatilla with his wife, Cathy, and this week said he intends to remain in the community.
    Council members spoke glowingly of Blankenship’s tenure with the city, including Kaye Adams, who was on the council when he was hired, and Scott Purvis, who was in the audience Tuesday and who also was on the council when Blankenship was brought in.
    “You were a tremendous shot in the arm for the economic development of Umatilla,” Purvis said.
    Blankenship endorsed Mercer as his successor, saying he had identified both Mercer and city finance head Regina Frazier as potential candidates years ago. Only Mercer showed an interest in the position, however.
    “I’d be honored to serve,” Mercer said Tuesday, “I have some big shoes to fill.”  He added that he intentds to see the city continue to progress.
    “I think we will continue our success.”
    In the coming weeks, the council is also expected to work to secure Blankenship on some form of consulting contract.  Creech broached the subject for two reasons, firstly to support Mercer overall as he assumes the manager’s desk, but also to provide a broader assist as Mercer learns more about the operations of the Umatilla airport.  The city manager also serves as airport manager, but the airport was an area where Mercer had little focus in his current post.