The City Manager Roundup

A guide to the recent news with California’s City Managers. This most recent edition includes the city of Beverly Hills narrowing its city manager search down to six, a city manager’s controversy with a 9/11 memorial, one city manager’s 10 percent raise, a city manager’s suspension and much more.

The city of Beverly Hills has narrowed its search for a new city manager down to six candidates. It sounds like a pretty upscale gig, so we’re certain there are some prime contenders. Down from 70 applicants to the six, the city searched through both public and private sector candidates. – Beverly Hills Courier
Taft City Manager Bob Gorson was served with a subpoena by the Kern County Grand Jury. Taft City Councilman Cliff Thompson announced at a city council meeting in September that Gorson was being investigated by the Grand Jury regarding pay raises given to city staff. – The Taft Independent
The City Manager of Laguna Woods, Leslie Keane, made an apology to those in this year’s 9/11 Patriotic Ride and Remembrance after things got a bit contentious between the two parties. – San Francisco Examiner
Corning City Manager Steve Kimbrough was given a five-day suspension resulting from conduct he displayed in e-mail communication. Kimbrough sent a harsh message through e-mail to a local business owner, claiming that the artists of a city mural design were amateurs. – PublicCEO.com
New El Monte Interim City Manager Rene Bobadilla pledges to restore the image of the city government. – San Gabriel Valley Tribune
The City Manager of El Monte was arrested in a prostitution sting in Pomona on and stepped down from his position. – PublicCEO.com
Stockton Interim City Manager Kevin O’Rourke recently “got to work.” – Stockton Record
Former Hughson City Manager Joe Donabed was terminated on Monday by a divided City Council. Donabed allegedly forced his employees to do work beyond their working titles, did not allow them to speak to the City Council and accusations that he was spying. Some members of city staff have differing opinions. – PublicCEO.com
Indio City Manager Glenn Southard has declined a boost to his compensation plan that would have given him an extra 21 vacation days on top of his current 30. – The Desert Sun
The Atherton City Manager earned a 10-percent raise, bringing his annual salary up to $160,000. – The Almanac
The City Manager newsletter from Jack Simpson: For 25 of those years, Jack Simpson served as City Manager or City Administrator for the cities of Hawaiian Gardens, Paramount and Bellflower. Read his monthly City Manager Newsletter. – PublicCEO.com