Baker gives Westminster a verbal OK

Westminster extended a conditional offer last night to a Californian to fill vacant positions within the city’s utilities department.  But the offer was extended by a divided city council vote of four in favor and three opposed.  Going into last night’s special meeting, Leigh Allen Baker had given the city a verbal acceptance of an $85 thousand offer for him to be the electric supervisor and interim utilities director.  Jennifer Adams, acting city administrator, says Baker is a superintendent with Pacific Electric and Gas in northern California.  He is a resident of the rural California community of Pleasant Grove. Before entering an executive session, Councilman Brad Chastain said Baker and his wife were looking for a home in either Walhalla or Westminster.  Where Baker is lived is a major point with Chastain’s colleague Yousef Mefleh.  Councilman Mefleh cast one of three no votes and explained later to 101.7/WGOG NEWS he takes no issue with Baker’s qualifications, but believes the city should require Baker to live inside the corporate limits.  Once a contract is signed and background and drug screenings are satisfied, the target start work date for Baker is August 1.