Portsmouth, Va. - Nita Mensia-Joseph, the Deputy City Manager for the City of Portsmouth, resigned from her position Wednesday. She becomes the 11th city official to leave since April.
No reason was given for the resignation. A replacement has not yet been named.
Elizabeth Psimas, the vice-mayor, says she's not worried after this latest resignation. "I would not find this unusual in the scheme of things," Psimas said in a phone interview. "It just so happens we've had a rash of them."
That rash began last April when the city council fired the city manager and city attorney. Since then, nine others have left or are on the way out, including the finance director, the police chief, and another deputy city manager.
It's not unusual for a new city manager to bring in a new team, according to Psimas. Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton took over as city manager in August. "One would hope that our new city manager, Dr. Patton, is sitting in a marvelous position to create a whole new team to work towards as she calls it 'a new Portsmouth,'" said Psimas.
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