Milton hires ex-Special Forces soldier as interim manager

The fractious Milton City Council tried the referee approach and that didn’t work.

Now, they’re trying the Green Beret method.

The City Council unanimously hired Mortimer Smedley, formerly in the Special Forces, as its interim city manager until the council can hire a permanent city manager.

The last city manager, Billy Beckett, was a referee for NCAA football and the Arena Football League. A veteran of 30 years of government administration, Beckett resigned after clashes with some council members.

Smedley’s contract is set for four months. He was recommended by Johns Creek City Manager John Kachmar, who supervised Smedley at St. Mary’s County in Maryland.

Mayor Joe Lockwood said Smedley doesn’t come across as a tough guy.

“He seems pretty easy going, but I’m sure he can be tough when he needs to be,” Lockwood said. “I’m sure he won’t be pushed around. I recommended him because he’s mature, confident, and because of his experience and skill sets. I think he’ll be a good leader for our city.”

Smedley was assistant county manager and county manager for St. Mary’s County, Md., and Carbon County, Pa., municipal manager for Lehighton, Pa. He served in the Navy and Army Reserves for 36 years.

He has most recently been serving as 2nd mate on a research vessel, working with scientists in the Adriatic Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.