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Manager of Belleair in race to lead Keys village

By LORRI HELFAND
Published October 22, 2005

BELLEAIR - Town Manager Steve Cottrell is in the running for top administrator of Islamorada, a village in the Keys billed as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World."

Cottrell wouldn't comment on his job search but said the ambience of Islamorada appealed to him.

"I like to fish, I like to scuba-dive, I like to boat," he said.

Colin Baenziger, an executive recruiter, said Cottrell is a good fit for the village manager job because "he's a Florida manager, with small-town experience."

But Baenziger, who served as an interim manager for Islamorada several years ago, said the village is not for everyone.

Islamorada boasts good restaurants, plenty of tourist shops and a small-town atmosphere, but its cultural and retail offerings mirror many rural communities.

For example, major shopping malls are at least an hour's drive away, said Mary Swaney, executive assistant to the village manager.

Cottrell is one of five finalists for manager of the village, which consists of four islands: Windley, Plantation and Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys.

The candidates vying to replace retiring Village Manager Bernie LaPira will interview with the Village Council on Friday and Saturday, Swaney said. A decision on the new manager will likely be made Oct. 24 at the council's next meeting.

The other finalists are Frank Bell of Crested Butte, Colo.; Cindy Coto, manager of Volusia County; Gary Word, city manager of Northville, Mich.; and Richard White, former town manager of Lexington, Mass.

The village is offering an annual salary of $90,000 to $130,000, with consideration for benefits. Cottrell's current salary is $86,881.60 plus benefits.

During the past few months, Cottrell has come under fire from two members of the Town Commission. Mayor George Mariani Jr. and Commissioner Gary Katica questioned Cottrell's credibility and asked him to resign. The rest of the five-member commission backed him, but their enthusiasm has waned in recent months.

Katica first called for Cottrell's removal in May, saying he failed to keep the commission informed about plans for the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa.

At last month's commission meeting, town leaders had the opportunity to renew Cottrell's contract or give him a raise. Instead, they decided to make decisions Nov. 1 about his future service.

POPULATION: 7,000

SIZE: 18 linear miles

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $41,522

HISTORIC PLACES: LaBranche Fishing Camp, Florida Keys Memorial, San Felipe and San Pedro shipwreck sites

POPULATION: 4,100

SIZE: 2 square miles

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $63,267

HISTORIC PLACES: Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa and Belleair Garden Club (Old Town Hall)

[Last modified October 22, 2005, 01:13:18]