With all the coming’s and going’s in California local government, it can be hard to keep track of where your friends are or what’s happening in your neighboring municipalities. But Trackdown Management helps keep the state up-to-date with their newsletter.

PublicCEO presents his Picking Up the Pieces:

Lake Forest Assistant to the City Manager Ben Siegel is going to work for Laguna Beach as both the Assistant to the City Manager, and Director of Community Services. His last day in Lake Forest with City Manager Bob Dunek was March 15.

West Sacramento City Manager Toby Ross will retire before July 1 of this year. Toby came to West Sacramento in November, 2002 from Park City, Utah to take over for the then-retiring City Manager Joe Goeden.

Former Temecula City Manager Shawn Nelson is being added to the Temecula City Center’s Wall of Honor; 14th to be so honored.

Gary Broad, the current St. Helena City Manager, worked in the Town of Ross for 20-years.

Retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Captain Susan A. Burgoon, 75, passed away on February 26, 2012. Sue joined the department on June 8, 1967 and retired January 8, 1996. After retiring she served as the Assistant General Manager of the Sheriffs Relief Association. Professional and efficient, she was a pleasure to work with.

Marcia Somers has been appointed to the Los Altos City Manager post. Marcia was the Danville Community Services Director starting in 1993 and was appointed Danville Assistant Town Manager in 2006.

In February former Seaside Assistant City Manager Jill Anderson attended her first City Council meeting as the new Riverbank City Manager. Jill also previously worked in Norwalk.

Mexico’s 87th President Vicente Fox addressed the 8th grade class at Coronado Middle School March 2, 2012. President Fox served as Mexico’s President from 2000 to 2006. He was the first member of Mexico’s National Action Party to serve as President in the past 71 years.

Cupertino City Manager David Knapp is leaving California to be the next City Administrator in Highland Park, Illinois. He has been Cupertino City Manager for a dozen years and has a degree from USC.

Adrian Garcia, 23, Acting City Clerk in La Puente, has resigned to accept the appointment of Assistant City Clerk in Rancho Cucamonga starting this month (March). He took the “Acting” La Puente post when City Clerk Pat Jacquez-Nares was put on administrative leave. The City is talking to retired City Manager and City Clerk Carol Cowley to possibly fill the City Clerk roll on contract. The La Puente City Manager is Bret Plumlee.

Lake Elsinore City Manager Bob Brady has been placed on Administrative Leave.

Former Anaheim Finance Direcetor Bob Wingenroth is the Interim City Manager in Anaheim since City Manager Thomas Wood resigned last December.

Former Stockton City Manager Dwayne Milnes, 66, who currently heads up the City’s Association of Retirees, reportedly said that the aggressive approach of City Manager Bob Deis in his attempt to address Stockton’s possible bankruptcy action is unnecessary.

Finance Director Brenda Bains has been appointed Dunsmuir “Interim” City Manager, as City Manager Jim Lindley leaves office to become the new City Manager in Dixon.

Long Beach Press-Telegram columnist Tim Grobaty published a nice interview with veteran Lakewood City Manager Howard Chambers on February 26. Howard retired last year after 34-years as the Lakewood City Manager, but has “unretired” and “re-upped” with a new 3-year employment agreement.

Tom Steele, most recently the City Manager in West Jordan, Utah, is among the final three candidates for the City Manager post in Kalispell, Montana. Tom has a BA and an MPA from California State University, Long Beach.

Atherton Interim City Manager Theresa DellaSanta will not be using the consulting services of former Interim City Manager John Danielson or his recruiting efforts to find a replacement city manager. John, a former Elk Grove City Manager, came to the Atherton staff in January, 2011. Since he earns a pension from CalPERS, his tenure was limited.

Ventura City Manager Rick Cole appointed James Mason, 50, to be Ventura Assistant City Manager. He previously served as the Mercer Island Deputy City Manager in Washington State.

Like Stockton, Mammoth Lakes is also trying to avert bankruptcy by using the new state mediation law. Fulbright & Jaworski LLP have been retained by Mammoth Lakes to help with negotiations, according to Interim Town Manager Marianna Marysheva-Martinez.

City Manager “housing assistance” loans are issues in Seaside and Salinas. It appears that former Seaside City Manager Ray E. Corpuz Jr. is working out a repayment schedule for $250,000 housing assistance loan he got from the city when he joined the Seaside staff. Ray is the new City Manager in Salinas where he replaced Artie Fields, who is currently the City Administrator in Inglewood, and is working to pay Salinas more than $109,000 owed on the housing assistance loan he received when he went to Salinas nearly three years ago.

Former Orland City Manager Paul Poczobut is among the four finalist for the Mesquite, Arizona City Manager post.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck supports the State issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

Larry Kosmont left the Montebello Interim City Administrator post at the end of February to get back to running the Kosmont Companies. He replaced former Interim City Administrator Peter Cosentini in May, 2011. Former Lawndale City Manager Keith Breskin has replaced Larry while the city recruits for a permanent replacement.

Doug Yount, Development Services Director, has been named Marina Interim City Manager following the termination of City Manager Tony Altfeld, 59, on a 3-2 vote.

La Palma City Manager Dominic Lazarretto has been selected to replace retiring Arcadia City Manager Don Penman on March 26.

Former El Segundo City Manager Doug Willmore filed a claim against the city alleging that his firing violated anti-retaliation and whistleblower laws.

Former Hanford City Manager Hilary M. Straus, is a Past President of MMANC, and Past Chair of Cal-ICMA. He has an MPA from USC.

Veteran Laguna Niguel City Manager Tim Casey will retired effect November, 2012 after 22-years as Laguna Niguel City Manager. Tim will turn 62-years old in November.

Lomita City Manager Dawn Tomita is a 47-year resident of the community and has worked for the city since its 1964 incorporation. In anticipation of Dawn’s retirement, Lomita is currently recruiting for a new City Manager.

Watsonville Administrative Services Director Marc Pimentel has been appointed to the Santa Cruz Finance Director post by Santa Cruz City Manager Martin Bernal.