SANTEE – After serving as Santee Town Administrator for almost 18 months, Avery Frick has tendered his resignation from the position, effective Dec. 1.

“I think that doing some consulting is a possibility now,” Frick says. “Hopefully, there are government and other entities where there may be an opportunity to assist with the challenges they are facing. Santee has a wonderful future, and who knows? I may have the opportunity to play some small part with the town in the future.”

In his resignation letter to the Santee town council, Frick wrote in part: “There have been many challenges during my time as administrator. However, each challenge was dealt with as it came.

Today you have a phone system that works, a computer system that works, an accounting system that is efficient with all bank accounts reconciled to the general ledger, financial statements that provide you with timely information and an audit report with an unqualified opinion. Also, the new automated water meter reading system is almost complete as well as the initial phase of the Santee Conference Center.”

He wished the town “much success with its future, especially with the exciting venture which will be developing in the very near future, i.e. the Jafza project.”

Frick, whose background in governmental financial matters spanned more than 30 years, was hired as town administrator in April 2007, replacing former Santee administrator Donnie Hillard who was fired by council in December 2006. Frick’s resume also included several stops as finance director and county administrator of Sumter County, county administrator of Fairfield County and Chesterfield County and county manager of Chester County.

“I had worked in four different counties before coming to Santee,” he said. “I found out about the Santee position because I noticed they were beginning to put together the conference center and I thought that would be a nice challenge.”

Santee Mayor Silas Seabrooks said, “I think (Frick is) OK; I guess that the fish was just too big for the pond. We’re going to get started right away seeking a new administrator. I’d like to start advertising sometime next week, and hope we can have someone in position by the end of the year.”

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5540.

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