Harry Black spent nearly five years as Stockton’s city manager.
Under his watch, Stockton faced a global pandemic, entered a new era of potential economic growth following its 2012 bankruptcy and has remained fiscally healthy.
The Stockton City Council has also long outwardly portrayed a satisfaction with Black’s work. Following a positive performance review last summer, Black’s contract was renewed for another four years and he received a pay increase for the second time during his tenure.
But Black’s tenure also endured a string of criticisms, sometimes instigated by an influential social media site, sometimes voiced by councilmembers. At least thrice, the previous council likely held closed-door meetings about the city manager’s job, with one preceded by a highly unusual public allegation and another followed by one councilmember seeking a restraining order. Through it all, Black remained firmly in his job.
That all changed last week. …
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Cassie Dickman 