Chester County administrator fired this week, mayor names someone to handle duties

After months of conflict with City Council and the Fire district Commission, the City Administrator for Chester has been fired. Malik Whitaker had been named to the position for just three years before Chester City Council voted 5-3 to fire him at its meeting this week. The surprise decision by some of the council comes a few days after an announcement by the Chester Fire District Commission saying it is ending its partnership with the City. Whitaker had previously accused the commission of cutting over 110,000 dollars from the city’s budget for the fire department for the next fiscal years budget.. The commission said it was for health insurance increases. The mayor of Chester, Carlos Williams who voted against releasing Whitaker posted a statement Thursday praising former administrator during his time with the City saying he partnered with the the financial sector, investors, developers and County officials to position Chester for growth. Williams added that Marquita Fair, Chester’s administrative services manager will take over Whitaker’s duties.