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Council interviews manager candidates

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

(Updated 12:04 pm)

By Amanda Lehmert
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — City Council members have had their first look at the person who might become the next city manager.

Council members Monday held one-on-one interviews with the top five candidates, who were recruited by the search firm Colin Baenziger and Associates.

The City Council will meet this morning at the O.Henry Hotel to discuss the candidates.

They could pick a new city manager this month.

“We had a goal to be down to the final ones by the end of August,” said Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat. “We are on that track.”

The manager search is closed to the public, so candidates' names and credentials were not disclosed Monday.

The new manager will replace Mitchell Johnson, who was fired by the council in March.

More than 100 people applied to be Greensboro’s top employee, which was advertised to pay $170,000 to $220,000, depending on applicant experience.

This summer, Baenziger summer narrowed the field of candidates through background research and interviews.

Council members chose six semifinalists after reviewing candidate information, including newspaper clippings, reference checks and resumes, according to the proposed search schedule.

Council members met the candidates in person Monday.

“Most people have had extensive government experience,” Mayor Yvonne Johnson said. “Most are not from here (North Carolina).”

Several council members said they were pleased with the candidates and found them well-qualified.

“I am truly surprised at the quality of candidate we have,” Groat said. “Any of them could be a good candidate.”

Council members said they are looking for a candidate who has experience dealing with the kind of turmoil that has faced Greensboro’s police department and the city’s ongoing legal issues associated with it.

Councilman Mike Barber said he wants the next city manager to be willing to commit to Greensboro.

“We need someone who wants to put down roots, not to make Greensboro a stepping-stone to somewhere else,” Barber said.

Council members will get to compare notes about the candidates in a closed session this morning.

Council members could reconsider their decision to keep the search closed until they hire a candidate. Some council members expressed interest in having public receptions for the finalists, who must, by state law, agree to have their identities released.

However, Johnson said several of the applicants were reluctant to have their names released, for fear of the repercussions at their current jobs.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com

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gboro84

August 18, 2009 - 8:15 am EDT

I think the applicants names should be released for two reasons.

1. The citizens need to have more input. If there is someone who isn't right for the job, we should be able to relay those feelings to our representatives.

2. I don't think I want someone who is planning on up and leaving a crummy job just like that. Why would they fear reprecussions if they are open and honest with their employer? Greensboro requires that same kind of honesty and openness.

This is going to turn out bad.

westronandnan@aol.com

August 18, 2009 - 8:55 am EDT

Trying to deal with this fractious council, the new City Manager will last about as long as a tail gunner in a B-29.

buzzman

August 18, 2009 - 9:26 am EDT

The article gives no reason for council interviewing five (5) when six (6) semifinalists were chosen. What happened to the sixth individual?
Why continue to bring up the name Mitchell Johnson. By now, everyone who isn't under a rock, knows the story.
Citizens of Greensboro elected the current city council and, although several of them are not playing with a full deck, as representatives of the citizens, they should be trusted to hire the right manager. Everyone, who chose to, has already given their input regarding this matter. Besides, it would be a logistical nightmare to attempt to have the public talk to the final candidates.
It's naive to believe that any employee can safely tell his or her employer that he or she is considering another job without risking repercussions; possibly getting fired. And, if you recall, Colin Baenziger recommended that the process be closed. I'm sure he is more knowledgeable about these matters than the average citizen.
So, let the council hire their one (1) employee. In light of the past, I'm confident that they'll make the right choice.

gboro84

August 18, 2009 - 10:57 am EDT

Buzzman, you got a lot to learn. This council refused to work together on a budget. They passed whatever the staff offered. This council will do whatever this search firm tells them, and who knows who is influencing the search firm. Personally, I think we are getting along fine with Morgan and the new council should choose the manager.