Cushman appointed Duncan’s interim town manager

Duncan's new interim Town Manager Philip Cushman updates the Town Council on the upcoming League of Cities and Towns event. Taking notes is Mayor anne Thurman. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

DUNCAN — The Duncan Town Council made it official Thursday, unanimously voting Thursday to appoint Philip Cushman as interim town manager.

Cushman was brought in following the most recent audit that raised questions over the town’s handling of finance and the resignation of former Town manager John Basteen.

“I like helping small communities that are being challenged. This is my fourth community in Arizona — small, rural communities,” Cushman said. “I grew up in Quartzsite, which had a lot of challenges over the years, and what happened to Quartzsite, I don’t want to see happen to other communities.”

Cushman was recommended to Duncan by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

The council also appointed Cushman as the interim town clerk — following the council’s dismissal of former Town Clerk Isabel Blancarte — and as the town’s chief financial officer for fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

“I think what we need to do is we need to focus on just getting things straightened out and, at this point, Mr. Cushman has the experience,” said Mayor Anne Thurman. “It’s not something that’s going to be that way forever; it’s just a temporary situation.”

Cushman said he has hired a number of Town Hall staff on a part-time, interim basis, with finding a new town clerk his priority.

“Communities that want to do better, that want to get out of crisis, are going to ask for help. And this community did,” Cushman said.

He added that payroll for employees and payments to town vendors will not be interrupted; however, new capital expenditures may be put on hold until the financial situation is put in order.

Thurman said the Town Council appointed a search committee for a permanent town manager — two members of council, two residents and one town employee — and that recruitment effort is ongoing.

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