RUMFORD – Joseph Derouche was hired for the River Valley Growth Council executive director’s position because of the number of contacts he has, both in-state and out-of-state, that could help build the area’s economic climate. And he also has a track record of successfully delivering economic growth as former town manager of Mexico.
Those were among the reasons Diane Ray, a member of the RVGC Personnel Committee, gave for hiring Derouche, despite a virulent form of multiple sclerosis that had often affected Derouche’s ability as town manager.
Then, less than two months after being hired as executive director of the RVGC, the organization’s board granted Derouche a two-week unpaid leave to tend to additional medical problems. He had already used up his prorated three weeks’ vacation and five days’ sick pay, said Ray.
The two weeks are up on Monday. At that time, the committee, which is charged with meeting with Derouche weekly or biweekly for an update on economic development activities, will have to make some decisions, said the assistant executive director, Rosie Bradley.
Dick Lovejoy, acting president of the council and a member of the committee, said he can’t speak for the committee until it meets. Options could range from hoping Derouche’s health will improve, to extending the unpaid leave, to termination or other possibilities.
“It’s all speculation right now,” he said late Thursday afternoon.
The full council meets on Wednesday night.
Bradley takes on many of Derouche’s duties when he is out, and had carried a significant number of those duties when the former executive director, Scott Christiansen, began devoting his time to long-term bio-refinery and other biomass projects.
Derouche has been charged with emphasizing short-term economic development projects and bringing new businesses and industries to the area while helping to keep existing businesses in the River Valley.
Ray said having Derouche as the economic developer would be “a cornerstone in economic growth if health permits him to come to work.”
She said the committee may look for creative ways to fill the economic developer’s duties, including the possibility of using Derouche as a consultant.
“If he’s able and willing to contribute, we’d like to find a way for that to happen,” she said.
Derouche was hired at an annual prorated salary of $40,000 for full-time work. Some of that time could be spent working from home, she said.
Ray said Bradley has risen to the needs of the council.
“She’s done a tremendous job. But what is missing is outside growth, the active pursuit of businesses from outside the area and the state,” said Ray.
Derouche could not be reached for comment.
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