HRT’s Townes to receive $300K buyout; Riddick chair

In its meeting Thursday,  the board of HRT voted to buy out the remaining contract of former CEO Michael Townes. The agreement will cost about $300,000, but saves the agency about $140,000. I’m guessing this was what was in the works when current President & CEO Philip Shucet answered my question about Townes  earlier this week (Townes discussion starts at about the 36:00 mark of the video). The Shucet said:

I do think there needs to be some finality to all that. And that may occur. But I just can’t.. honestly, I just can’t say anymore about that.

Have to admit that I missed an opportunity here to press him on this. But then I had no idea that a buyout was in the works. And, as the video shows, the Pilot article errs in saying that Townes had not been to work since January. Shucet said he was there “last week.”

Also decided at that meeting was the next chair of the board. Norfolk Councilman Paul Riddick is getting his turn at the top. The vote was almost unanimous, with only current chairman Jim Wood voting no.

One thing is for certain: it seems that all that’s necessary for HRT to have a major announcement is for Shucet to meet with bloggers 🙂 Next time we meet, my first question will be to ask what story is going to break about the agency that afternoon or the next day.