CLIFTON — Change continues to happen in the Town of Clifton.
The Town Council has selected Cindy Blackmore to serve as the interim town manager, following the resignation of Town Manager Tina Babaletakis after just a few months in the position.
Blackmore served four years as the town manager of Chino Valley before resigning in September 2024. And before that she worked as the Public Works director for Avondale.
Babaletakis’ last day was Aug. 21 and, in an e-mail to Gila Valley Central, Mayor Laura Dorrell said Babaletakis gave the council four-week’s notice.
“Tina led the town in the short time she was here in paving more roads than we had done in years prior, brought our sewer accounts in order and other countless projects she brought over the finish line, she was working on over 60 other items and shared her list with the council and the interim town manager,” Dorrell said.
Babaletakis was hired to be the town manager this past March, following the removal of Rudy Perez from the position in July 2024.
Dorrell said the Town Council hopes to hire a permanent manager within the next six months.
It’s the third decision about a vacancy the Town Council has had to make this year. In January, the council selected Rev. Chad Brown to serve a full four-year term, following the death of Emily Munoz.
Munoz had been elected to the Town Council in 2024, but passed away before she could serve.
In July, the council appointed Shane Kennedy to serve the remainder of Town Council Member Janeene Carrillo’s term, following Carrillo’s resignation due to moving out of the area for work.
Kennedy will serve through December 2026.
