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Last Wednesday the first two city administrator candidates toured Greensburg and interviewed with Mayor Bob Dixson and the city council.
Gary Emry, the current city administrator of Gerard, and Eddy Truelove, the current chief of police for Sterling, were escorted to various city locations by members of the city council and Mayor Dixson. Both received individual and group interviews with key city employees.
The city council held two extended executive sessions in the past few days presumably to discuss the candidate interviews, holding sessions on Thursday and Monday night respectively.
Speaking by phone on Tuesday morning Dixson said the city has not extended an official job offer to either candidate, but that the city has no plans to schedule interviews with any other candidates.
Interim City Administrator Jay Newton, who has worked in city administration for more than 40 years, weighed in on Emry and Truelove last week prior to Wednesday’s interviews.
“I think they are both good candidates,” he said. “They have been vetted very closely by Marla Fletje [of the executive search firm]. They both have good experience and I think the council will have two good interviews.”
With Emry having substantially more city administration experience than Truelove, the first two choices raise questions of enthusiasm versus experience.
“The new ones are going to make mistakes. It takes more patience from council and the mayor. I was there,” quips a smiling Newton. “I appreciated their patience then and I appreciate it now. If they come in thinking they have all of the answers and tries to push the staff around or condescend to the council members they will have a tough time of it.
I don’t think that a lot of experience is essential. A lot of it has to do with personal character but whatever they’ve learned will help them.”
The city is amidst a building boom as it turns the corner towards the fifth anniversary of the May 2007 tornado. Newton lists the completion of The Big Well Museum, the water treatment plant and the airport as key civic projects that will be waiting for the new city admin.
“I think the right person that doesn’t let their ego get in the way, that is sensitive to the people and the community and listens to people will do fine.”
editor@kiowacountysignal.com
Last Wednesday the first two city administrator candidates toured Greensburg and interviewed with Mayor Bob Dixson and the city council.
Gary Emry, the current city administrator of Gerard, and Eddy Truelove, the current chief of police for Sterling, were escorted to various city locations by members of the city council and Mayor Dixson. Both received individual and group interviews with key city employees.
The city council held two extended executive sessions in the past few days presumably to discuss the candidate interviews, holding sessions on Thursday and Monday night respectively.
Speaking by phone on Tuesday morning Dixson said the city has not extended an official job offer to either candidate, but that the city has no plans to schedule interviews with any other candidates.
Interim City Administrator Jay Newton, who has worked in city administration for more than 40 years, weighed in on Emry and Truelove last week prior to Wednesday’s interviews.
“I think they are both good candidates,” he said. “They have been vetted very closely by Marla Fletje [of the executive search firm]. They both have good experience and I think the council will have two good interviews.”
With Emry having substantially more city administration experience than Truelove, the first two choices raise questions of enthusiasm versus experience.
“The new ones are going to make mistakes. It takes more patience from council and the mayor. I was there,” quips a smiling Newton. “I appreciated their patience then and I appreciate it now. If they come in thinking they have all of the answers and tries to push the staff around or condescend to the council members they will have a tough time of it.
I don’t think that a lot of experience is essential. A lot of it has to do with personal character but whatever they’ve learned will help them.”
The city is amidst a building boom as it turns the corner towards the fifth anniversary of the May 2007 tornado. Newton lists the completion of The Big Well Museum, the water treatment plant and the airport as key civic projects that will be waiting for the new city admin.
“I think the right person that doesn’t let their ego get in the way, that is sensitive to the people and the community and listens to people will do fine.”
editor@kiowacountysignal.com
