Durham Not Only City Interested In Police Chief Nominee

Sarasota, Fla., is also after Carcara, and he said he is keeping his options open.

"I have been in contact with the Durham authorities today (Friday), and we've discussed the situation. Basically, I told them I had already committed to Sarasota," Carcara said.

However, Sarasota has not offered him the job yet, and Carcara made it clear he is still interested in Durham -- a city reeling from the resignation of Gregory Watkins after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced earlier this week.

Durham Councilman Lewis Cheek said he is pleased Carcara is still available.

"To be where we are right now is frustrating, although there is still the possibility that one of the other three finalists deciding to take the job and come to Durham," Cheek said.

Carcara knows he was not City Manager Marcia Connor's first choice, and Cheek admits that could be an issue.

"He was not the first choice. That's true. Whether he can generate the enthusiasm for the job is a question he'll have to answer," he said.

Friday's editorials in both the

News and Observer

and the

Herald-Sun

stop short of calling for Connor's resignation, but the papers lay much of the blame for the current problems at her feet.

"She's our city manager and we stand behind her," Cheek said. "Certainly, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Marcia Conner may need to answer those questions."

Carcara's job in Kentucky will soon be eliminated because of a city-county merger.