Dade City looks over two city manager candidates

The first candidates have vastly different backgrounds. Two more are set Wednesday.

By Helen Anne Travis, Times Staff Writer
Published February 12, 2008

DADE CITY - The first round of city manager interviews took place Monday afternoon, with Gregg Williams and Lyndon Bonner on the hot seat.

"This is kind of a litmus test on how we get along," Bonner said at the beginning of his interview.

Bonner came to the table Monday with a Southern accent and more than 10 years of city government experience.

To commissioners' questions about infrastructure improvement and recreation development, Bonner cited his grant-writing experience and an exercise trail he helped develop as the former public services director for Dunnellon.

Commissioner Steve Van Gorden asked what Bonner would accomplish in his first 100 days if chosen for the position. Bonner said meeting with commissioners to learn their visions for the city would be his top priority.

"I really have to establish that rapport with you folks," he said. "I am pretty good at putting the brick in the ground, but you have to tell me where to put that brick."

Bonner served four years as the city manager in Bunnell and he seemed unfazed about the implications of Amendment 1 for Dade City.

"I never heard a commissioner say, 'We got plenty of money, go ahead,'" he said Monday.

Williams' resume was a sharp contrast to Bonner's. Williams had no municipal government experience listed. His background is mostly in real estate, and for several years he served as a supervisor in the Brevard County courts system.

The high pressure stakes of real estate and required interpersonal and selling skills would serve him well if he were chosen for the position, Williams said. His experience would also help if he had to deal with developers as a city manager.

"I have the ability and confidence to where I could research the issue to learn more about situations," he said.

Mayor Hutch Brock asked Williams if he would consider another position with the city to gain municipal government experience.

"My options are open. I am a Realtor right now," Williams said, which garnered chuckles from the audience and commissioners.

Commissioner Scott Black was unable to attend Monday's interviews because of an injury.

The interviews continue Wednesday with Gary Word, village manager for Islamorada, set to meet with commissioners at 4 p.m., and William Poe Jr., assistant planner for Zephyrhills, scheduled for 5 p.m.

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or 352 521-6518.

[Last modified February 11, 2008, 21:44:49]