By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The City of Saluda has hired a familiar face to fill the open position of city administrator.

After being without an administrator since April, following the sudden resignation of former administrator Erny Williams, the city hired current part-time zoning administrator Jonathan Cannon to fill the spot.

Saluda City Council met Monday, July 13 and following a closed session unanimously voted to hire Cannon as the city administrator and zoning administrator.

Cannon currently works part-time as Saluda’s zoning administrator, on Mondays and Fridays and Wednesday mornings. He began as Saluda’s zoning administrator in April 2014.

He will begin his full-time administrator/zoning position on Aug. 3.

Cannon continued his zoning administrator duties following Williams’ resignation but has also handled city administrator duties. He has given administrative reports at council meetings for the past few months.

Cannon said he’s enjoyed his time working for Saluda and looks forward to moving the city in a positive direction.

“I think there’s great potential here to make some good progress here in Saluda,” said Cannon.

Saluda Mayor Fred Baisden said Cannon has worked in the zoning administrator job for quite some time and has been filling in and handling a number of things for the city on a part-time basis, all while doing another job outside Saluda government.

“He’s done a really good job,” Baisden said.

Baisden said one of the main things Cannon has accomplished for the city is getting the computers up to date. The mayor also said Cannon has a landscape architect background, which has helped the city on a few projects so far.

“We felt like he’s a good fit,” said Baisden. “He’s a fair person and he’s really committed to doing a good job and we’re going to give him a try.”

Baisden said Cannon lives in the Saluda Township and is committed to the city.

Council has been discussing the possibility of going from an administrator form of government to a manager form of government. During Monday’s meeting, an agenda item for that discussion was taken off the agenda.

Baisden said the idea of changing to a manager form of government is not off the table but they are giving Cannon some time before revisiting the idea.

Cannon does not have a background in city administration, but Baisden said he is planning to attend administrator school.

Saluda received 22 applications for the administrator position. The city is currently also seeking a city clerk.