BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON - Jim Parsons went to Newport 17 years ago as an assistant city solicitor and helped lead that river city through dramatic changes and unparalleled development.
Now he is looking for similar challenges as the leader of a new administrative team taking Boone County into the next century. Mr. Parsons, Newport city manager for nine years, was named Friday as the new Boone County administrator and deputy judge-executive. He resigned Friday from his job in Newport, effective Jan. 3.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with a group of newly elected county officials," Mr. Parsons said during a press conference Friday. "This is a good time to once again be associated with Boone County."
A county native and graduate of Boone County High School, he was assistant director of community development in Boone County from 1975-1979, and then was county coordinator under Judge-executive Bruce Ferguson from 1979 to 1981.
"I was involved in the planning and construction of this (administration) building, but I never had the chance to move into it," Mr. Parsons said with a laugh. "I finally made it."
He said the decision to leave Newport and return to Boone County was not easy.
"So many positive things have happened during my years with the city," he said. "The city had a bad reputation. People even advised me not to take the job back in 1982.
"But I believe there is a really good spirit in the city now. We have seen tremendous growth and development, especially on the river. But we have also seen positive changes in the service the city provides to its residents."
He came to Newport as assistant city solicitor in 1982, and was city solicitor from 1983 to 1989, when he was named city manager. During his years with Newport, Mr. Parsons saw the city move away from its "Sin City" image with the elimination of most of the strip clubs downtown. He wrote legislation to regulate adult entertainment, including an anti-nude dancing ordinance.
The city also saw an upswing in development on the riverfront, beginning with several floating restaurants and a new hotel. He had a hand in bringing StarKist Foods and Heinz Pet Products to a new building near the river.
The biggest development is currently under way - the aquarium that opens in May - to be followed by the Newport on the Levee entertainment district, a 3-D IMAX theater, and another hotel in the Third Street Development District.
"I felt this was the right time to make a switch," Mr. Parsons said. "When you have been in the same position for a long time, you may lose your edge, become a little stale. I believe Boone County will give me that new edge."
Gary Moore, who will become the new Boone County judge-executive in January, said Friday he could not discuss Mr. Parsons' salary "because the Fiscal Court members have not taken office and we can't vote on the issue. But we have discussed a competitive (salary and benefits) package to bring Jim here. I would emphasize that this is not about money. Jim probably could have done better financially by staying in Newport."
Mr. Parsons made about $78,000 annually as Newport city manager, while the top salary paid previously in Boone County for an administrator was $68,000. Newport city commissioners had talked about an increase to keep him in the city.
"When we vote on a salary, I'm sure it will involve an increase over what has been paid here in the past," Mr. Moore said.
Newport city commissioner Jan Knepshield said that, while he was sorry to see Mr. Parsons leave the city, he understood the move.
"When you have good people on your team, other people are going to come calling," he said. "That's what happened here."
Newport also recently lost its long-time economic development director, Laura Long, to the Cincinnati Business Committee. She was replaced by former Newport historic preservation officer Pat Wingo.
"When Laura left, we were able to replace her with Pat, who had worked with Laura and learned from her," Mr. Knepshield said. "We feel she will do a great job. We must do the same thing in replacing the city administrator."
He said the other commissioners - Jerry Peluso, Beth Fennell and Ken Rechtin - and Mayor Tom Guidugli will meet soon and decide what course to take.
Mr. Parsons said he and his wife, attorney Gayle Hoffman, have no plans to move from Newport for at least two years, when his daughters will have graduated from Newport Central Catholic.
