Hyattsville City Administrator Resigns Amid Criticism

After less than one year of service, has resigned, effective Oct. 7.

After a three-hour closed session discussion, the City Council voted 7-4 to accept Rose’s resignation letter, which was dated Oct. 1. He will be paid until Jan. 18, the end of his contract, but his last day of work will be this Friday.

Rose offered the council two options in his letter—either leave his post now or stay on board until his contract end date. The council, despite protest from several of its members, decided on option one.

Council Members Timothy Hunt (Ward 3), Nicole Hinds-Mofor (Ward 5), Shani Warner (Ward 2) and Candace Hollingsworth (Ward 1) voted against the motion. Hunt offered an amendment to the initial motion, stating that for the good of the city, the council should permit Rose to stay on board until Jan. 18.

That motion was downed by all but Hunt, Hinds-Mofor, Warner and Hollingsworth.

No reason was given for Rose’s departure, but over the past couple months the council has, during public meetings, repeatedly criticized Rose’s work. At Monday’s meeting, several council members, including Mayor Marc Tartaro, told Rose they were concerned about his lack of progress on hiring a human resources manager for the city.

Rose said he was unclear on the council’s wishes, adding that it did not provide him clear direction.

It is not yet clear who will serve as acting city administrator. Vincent Jones, former assistant city administrator, resigned his post last summer. In times past, Hyattsville Police Chief Douglas Holland has served as acting administrator while former administrator Elaine Murphy was on leave.