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Looking back at 20 years in Dunedin
John Lawrence heard the Sirens' call to the city, and he's proud of the changes.
By MEGAN SCOTT
Published April 25, 2005
DUNEDIN - He has run 14 marathons. He speaks a little French. He listens to classical music, and maybe some Rod Stewart every now and then. And he has become hooked on Gregorian chants.
Recently, John Lawrence celebrated his 20th anniversary as city manager - the longest any city manager has ever served in Dunedin. His tenure has been marked with a few setbacks, some surprises but many more successes.
Lawrence, 59, sat down with a St. Petersburg Times reporter last week to discuss everything from dirty water to his famous college classmate.
What were some of the burning issues in 1985?
The real burning issues were No. 1, we needed to rebuild our wastewater plant that was mandated by the state. No. 2, our water plant was nonexistent, and we were getting a lot of dirty water complaints. And our downtown was a ghost town. It was high vacancy rate. You would never see anybody walking down there.
What are the three biggest things that have happened in your tenure as city manager?
I would say, No. 1, the revitalization of downtown. I grew up in New England, and all the towns in New England have a very identifiable town center. When I got to Dunedin, I didn't see that. I thought if there is anything else I want to accomplish, I want to give our downtown an identity, so people know where downtown Dunedin is. And we've done that. No. 2, we built a new wastewater plant. And No. 3, a new water plant.
I know you came from New England. Were you in school with Bush or Kerry?
Bush. Well, actually both. I was in Bush's class (at Yale). Kerry was ahead of me.
Did you ever imagine back then that he would be president?
No. But it's funny. My freshman year I went to a lecture at the Yale political union. It's not really political, but they bring in a lot of speakers, like they had (former President) Reagan one year as a speaker. The guy that was head of the political union my freshman year was John Kerry. He was in another league. He was very well spoken. I was like, "Who is this guy?" He's not one of us. He's beyond us.
What has been Dunedin's darkest hour?
Probably the most difficult hour ... was when we were transitioning from the Police Department to the Sheriff's Office. We had about 90 employees in the Police Department and they were stressed about it. We had the Save Our Police citizens group and that was countered by Save Our City, who wanted us to go to the Sheriff's Office. It was a stressful time. Looking back, it was a wonderful decision.
Was there ever a time when you were worried about the direction Dunedin was going?
A big concern I had was when we had that water problem. And I thought, these people might actually say, "I'm not paying for my water anymore. I'm not getting what I want so don't expect my check." And our ordinance said we would have to cut their water off. Well, that would make their homes not livable. It didn't happen. We dodged a bullet.
What are you most passionate about?
I would have to say that myself and my employees are here to serve our citizens. They are the client, the customer. I'm real passionate about that.
How would you describe your management style?
My management style is very simple. I try to hire the very best people I can and then step out of their way and let them do their job. They like that because they can spread their wings a little bit. I'm not after them constantly. But when they need it, I am. I hire the best ones and get out of their way. And it works well.
Bob Ironsmith often gets credit for the revitalization of downtown. Does it make you uncomfortable when you have to take a back seat?
No. Not at all. When my sons excel in school or sports, I beam. I feel the same way about my employees. If they excel, I'm like their dad.
What does Dunedin need to do remain successful?
I guess if we could really strengthen our tax base to stabilize our millage rate for a fair amount of time. We are working on that. We have done a good job downtown, but we can never stop. Downtown is a permanent work in progress. We can always do better. But then we need to replicate the efforts of downtown to other areas in the city.
Why have you stayed in this position so long? Is there something that keeps you here?
Five years before I came to Dunedin, my wife and I had lived in five different states. I thought Dunedin would just be a stopping off place. But Dunedin is like Ulysses and the Sirens. The sailors would hear the Sirens singing and they would be drawn in. Dunedin kind of does that to you. It draws you in.
What do you want people to know about you?
I just feel like a man who came to dinner. I didn't think I would be here this long. I have enjoyed every minute of it.
--Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com
[Last modified April 25, 2005, 11:18:25]
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