Hatch describes departure from city

Two days after news of his pending departure from the city, Randy Hatch said he's not leaving his post as Lodi's development chief because of poor performance or for health reasons.

Instead, the veteran of 35 years in municipal planning said it's that intangible quality of a good "fit" that's driving him away.

"So much of being a department head is having that fit with your city manager," Hatch said in an interview Wednesday. "After a period of time, maybe that fit wasn't that good."

Hatch said he and City Manager Blair King mutually agreed last fall it would be best for Hatch to leave, following a six month separation period that will end June 1.

He joined the city in September 2005 and was given a two-year contract. That deal was not renewed.

Hatch, who heads the city's Community Development Department, has worked from home much of the past four months following major knee surgery.

While his management duties have been limited, he said he's logged about six hours per day working on the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposal, one that will be reviewed by city officials next month. The Stockton resident has also continued to attend numerous regional planning meetings for the city.

Hatch will continue to earn his $127,000 salary until he leaves.

His separation agreement does not include any one-time payments upon his departure.

King said earlier this week the city has already begun recruiting Hatch's replacement. Candidates from within and outside city staff will be considered, he said.

For more of this story, see Friday's News-Sentinel.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.

First published: Thursday, March 27, 2008