Wednesday, April 24, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Almost two months after commissioners talked her into staying, Clark County's chief spokeswoman has called it quits.
Vicki Taylor, who for the last five years was assistant to the county manager, announced her resignation as of May 1. Taylor's chief responsibilities included public affairs and government relations, public education, and communications.
"I was completely surprised," County Manager Pat Shalmy said of Taylor's decision, which comes just as the County Commission approved new positions Taylor had asked for to expand community outreach responsibilities.
Her resignation letter gives no hint to why she would leave, and Shalmy said she gave no reason in a meeting on Monday.
Taylor remained tight-lipped about her resignation, but sources said she was caught in a tug-of-war between commissioners and administrative staff over expanding the county's community outreach program.
"There probably was some friction, but she never came to me with those problems," Shalmy said.
Taylor said she felt it was time to move on. She said she will continue working free-lance in public relations so she can spend more time with her family.
The commission since last year has called for a greater degree of community outreach, and helped find three new positions in next year's budget to assist Taylor.
Commissioners who talked her out of quitting two months ago were surprised that she would decide to resign after they got the extra help, but recognized that some staff resisted the change, putting Taylor in the middle of a power struggle between commissioners and administration.
"The frustration comes in the commissioners' feeling that part of our mission is to communicate with the public, something we saw in the role of Vicki," Commissioner Erin Kenny said. "We identified that she didn't have a budget or staff, and we took care of that this last budget round."
County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates said Taylor's departure "leaves us with a big void."
Shalmy said he wants to find a replacement as soon as possible, since Taylor provided a vital link between commissioners, administrative personnel and the public. He said her departure should have no negative effect on the community outreach program.
"She has a very special talent dealing with issue management," Shalmy said. "She will be tough to replace."
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