Public gives wish list for next city manager
December 02, 2011
Rockland — Rockland should have a new city manager by early spring.
And based on comments from those who attended a public meeting Nov. 29, that manager should live in Rockland, be strong on economic development, have the ability to navigate the local political world, and be able to work with the school district on controlling its costs.
Don Gerrish of Eaton Peabody Consulting Group said he expects Rockland will attract 45 to 50 applicants. Gerrish said the firm will review the applications and then narrow that list to 10 to 15 names that will be given to the council. He said the council will be given all the applications but Eaton Peabody will offer its recommendations of which applicants fit the criteria developed by the city council.
He said it will likely take two-and-a-half to three months for the council to select a candidate and then another month before that person could begin work in Rockland.
Ten people spoke at the public forum on what they considered to be the greatest challenges facing the city and what characteristics the city manager should have to deal with those challenges.
Rodney Lynch, a Rockland resident and the former Community Development director for the city, said the most important thing is for the manager to live in Rockland.
Louise MacLellan-Ruf echoed those comments when she spoke.
"The person needs to be invested in Rockland," MacLellan-Ruf said.
Lorraine Francis, the executive director of Rockland Main Street, said the next manager should be visible on Main Street, realize the importance of Main Street, be cruise ship friendly, and have the ability to work with the school district.
Resident Maggie Trout said she did not think it was necessary for a candidate to agree to live in Rockland since they will be in the community as part of the job and see the roads and the environment.
Lynch said the most important challenge facing Rockland is economic development. He said the city should consider hiring a full-time economic director as well as a manager to deal with issues that are currently affecting the city or soon will be impacting Rockland.
One of those specific issues will be finding something to fill the vacancy that will occur when Walmart relocates to its new supercenter in Thomaston. He said that vacancy will have an impact on Camden Street.
Lynch said the city's Industrial Park also needs a dramatic upgrade to end its deterioration.
Shari Closter, the director of operations for the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the manager should have an economic development background and focus on Harbor Park, the Industrial Park and cruise ships, and be able to collaborate with the many small businesses in the region.
Jeff Charland, chairman of Rockland Main Street, said while the manager does not have direct influence on the school district, the manager as a steward of the public's taxes should work with the school district to hold it accountable, noting that the district is not performing as well as it should.
Patty Fletcher said her concerns were about the youth and that the community's school district was really lackluster.
Councilor Elizabeth Dickerson said the school system condition is a symptom of economic problems in the community and those underlying problems need to be addressed for the school system to show improvement.
Councilor William Clayton said the next manager should be a cheerleader for the entire community.
"I want [the manager] to be in the community," Clayton said.
Resident Eileen Wilkinson said the city needs a leader who can deal with rancor seen at times on the council.
"It's the elephant in the room that Rockland needs to address," Wilkinson said.
The manager should have the ability to look at the big picture while navigating the political differences by councilors, she said.
Dennis Kearney, the plant manager at FMC Biopolymer, said the manager should be skilled in conflict management as well as be someone who has integrity.
MacLellan-Ruf said the city needs a manager who can hold people accountable, praising acting City Manager Tom Luttrell for questioning costs for the downtown sewer project.
The Tuesday evening forum was a meeting of the city councilors in their role as members of the manager search committee.
The council voted in October to hire Eaton Peabody for up to $5,000 to assist in the manager search.
Gerrish said that the Rockland manager job will be advertised on the Maine Municipal Association website as well as the International City Managers website. The advertisement will be posted Dec. 12 and the deadline for applications will be Jan. 5.
Rosemary Kulow resigned the manager post Oct. 3 to become town manager in Poland. She held the job for nearly three years. Finance Director Luttrell is serving as acting city manager in Rockland.
Courtesy of the Village Soup
By Stephen Betts
