Culver City Observer -

Assistant City Manager and City Clerk Martin Cole has reportedly vanished from city hall after being informed by City Manager John Nachbar that he would no longer be assistant city manager but would retain his position as city clerk.

Cole left the office and according to reports in thefrontpageonline.com returned to the Human Services Department in city hall the next day to take out papers for a workers' compensation claim. Cole reportedly would have retained his salary of almost $200,000 per year plus benefits.

The city clerk along with the city treasurer's position were elected for many years until a voter approved charter change converting Culver City from a Chief Administrative form of government where all department heads reported to the CAO to a City Manager form of government where they report directly to the City Manager. It was during that conversion that the city clerk and city treasurer became appointed positions.

It was clear to city hall watchers that the combination of the two jobs along with the downsizing of the clerk's office from seven employees to three had taken its toll on the efficiency of the office. The change came weeks after Cole presided over the council election.