 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Crystal River wants South Carolina man as city manager
By ALEX LEARY © St. Petersburg Times, published May 21, 2001 CRYSTAL RIVER -- Citing his exuberance and professional demeanor, the City Council on Saturday selected a 44-year-old South Carolina man as the next city manager. Steve Thomas, finance director for the city of Clinton, has been offered a three-year contract with options for two additional years. He would earn up to $62,000. Negotiations got under way Sunday. "It's obviously a major move in many different ways," Thomas said from his home. "It's not something that you can make a spur-of-the-moment decision on." One of three candidates interviewed, Thomas narrowly beat out Michael Underwood, city manager of Graceville in the Florida Panhandle. Tony Hammond, town manager in North Topsail Beach, N.C., also had sought the job. "We hired a good guy," said council Chairman Mike Gudis, whose first choice was Underwood. "Any one of the three I was very impressed with." Russ Kreager said he initially tagged Underwood for the job but changed his mind after hearing from Thomas. "He overwhelmed me with his professionalism and enthusiasm." The council's choice of Thomas came against a backdrop of lingering criticism from some residents who believe the current manager, David Sallee, remains the most qualified. Sallee's two-year contract was not renewed. "I feel sorry for this young fellow," said John Kendall, a leader of Citizens for Reform, a watchdog group that formed with the aim of ousting council members in the upcoming election. "Yes, he had enthusiasm and he presented himself properly, but I feel sorry for him. He has no experience. He has no idea what he's getting into." Experience or not, the next city manager will face steep challenges. He will begin work just as the budget preparations turn serious; he will face contract talks with two unions; and he will have to get up to speed on numerous projects, including a $4.3-million grant to replace 500 septic systems. Candidates, particularly those from outside Florida where the interview process is private, seemed taken back by the intense public interest in the process. Though resident participation was limited inside City Hall, Kendall and others made their feelings known outside, giving the men their take on local politics. During one exchange, Kendall and Gudis sparred, in an understated manner, in front of Hammond. "Your political career is over," Kendall said as Hammond stood by, looking uncomfortable. Even before the meeting began there was an air of animosity. A few days before they arrived in Crystal River, the candidates received a letter from Chris Lloyd, an advocate for Sallee, that emphasised turnover in the city manager's office. It included excerpts from newspaper editorials, one of which stated, "only a courageous or crazy individual" would take the job. The letter came up several times during the meeting, with the council asking the candidates for their perceptions. "Obviously there is another side to the story," Gudis told Thomas. Several council members said they do not favor "micromanaging." Thomas, who would become the eighth manager since 1990, told the council that turnover goes with the territory. "Local government is like sitting in the cross-fire." He spent Saturday afternoon driving around the area, checking out possible homes. By cell phone, Thomas said he had still not decided whether to accept, noting the city's political climate, among other issues. "My wife and I need to sit down and talk about it," he said. "But we're headed in that direction. Thomas has worked in Clinton since 1997 and oversees a budget of about $17-million, according to his resume. He was a town administrator in Irmo, S.C., from 1995-97 and before that held various finance jobs, including three years with Salomon Smith Barney. A native of Wilmington, N.C., he majored in history at the University of North Carolina and got a master's degree in public administration from the University of Charleston. He and his wife, Janet, a kindergarten teacher, have two children: Madison, 13, andGrayson, 10. Thomas described himself as a hands-on leader, saying he does not prefer to delegate -- an issue in the Sallee administration. The council sets policy, he said, but it should leave him to the city's day-to-day operations. But he said he would not be an overly strong presence and would draw on the experience of his staff. He said he would promote honest and open leadership, adding, "I don't see enough of that in local government."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
