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 on the Trackdown Management Service Web site.

  • Coachella Assistant City Manager Steve Brown resigned after 10 years with the city. 
  • Gene Rogers is the Interim City Manager in Coachella, and has appointed veteran city manager Noelia F. Chapa as Interim Assistant City Manager.  Noelia is a former Soledad City Manager.

  • Starting in January, Yolo County’s new County Administrator is Elk Grove Assistant City Manager Patrick Blacklock. Pat has been the ACM since October, 2008, and previously served as the Dean of Careers and Technology at Cosumnes River College, the first County Administrator in Amador County, and Vice President of Government Relations for the State Cattlemen’s Association.  Pat is replacing Sharon Jensen, who retired from Yolo County’s top position in August after nine years with the county.

  • Though Interim City Manager Bob Miller has left the door open for further negotiation with the employee unions, nearly 60 layoff notices were issued, along with the closing of three libraries for the remainder of the current fiscal year in Colton. Bob will be returning to his Chief of Police post when newly appointed City Manager Rob Foster reports in December.

  • Retired veteran City Manager Tim Kerr has filed suit against Turlock for non-payment of payment he is owed pursuant to his employment agreement.  Tim is still recovering from his foot operation, though the cast has been removed and he is now in a “walking boot.”  He is in rehab and still on crutches, and will not be fully back on his feet until after the first of the year.

  • Patricia Thompson, former Napa City Manager and former Interim City Manager in Novato, will serve as the new Interim City Manager in Larkspur while the recruitment process for a new city manager proceeds. Larkspur City Manager Jean Bonander announced her retirement in August, and her last day was in November.  Larkspur Deputy City Manager/Fire Chief Bob Sinnott will undertake additional duties during the transition.

  • Hughson has been notified that former City Manager Joe Donabed is considering a lawsuit regarding his recent termination.

  • Poway City Manager Rod Gould reports that water use in the city dropped substantially since residents are heeding the call to save water.  Water use was down 30% in July and August.

  • Former Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz, who has been serving as the Interim City Manager in Colfax, has been appointed Colfax City Manager. He replaces former Colfax City Manager Joan Phillipe, who served there from September, 2006 until recently.

  • Rio Dell has appointed 35-year public management and administration veteran Jim Stretch as Interim City Manager relieving Chief of Police Graham Hill of the assignment. Former City Manager Nancy Fleming resigned the position in July, 2009.

  • Moreno Valley Deputy City Manager Rick Hartmann, a veteran public manager with solid economic development experience, has been caught in the city’s crisis budget reductions and downsizing  actions.  Rick would be a great addition to any city management team. Urban Futures, Inc. is the primary sponsor of the 2009 City Managers’ Golf Tournament in February.

  • Josi Kenline is the new La Puente City Manager relieving Acting City Manager Frank Tripepi.  Josi has been working with the La Puente management team.  She formerly held positions in Indio, Colton, San Bernardino and Riverside. 

  • T. Jarb Thaipejr is the City Manager in Loma Linda. He took over from his Director of Public Works post following the July retirement of City Manager Dennis Halloway.

  • Mill Valley City Manager Anne Montgomery will retire at the end of the year.  The new Los Angeles Police Chief is Walnut resident Charlie Beck.

  • Rancho Cucamonga Assistant City Manager Pam Easter has announced her retirement at the end of the year, and City Manager Jack Lam will elevate Deputy City Manager John Gillison to move in behind Pam. Also, Linda Daniels will be the Deputy City Manager for Economic and Community Development Services.

  • City Manager Kevin Duggan’s City of Mountain View has opened the valves on a new $19.8 million recycled water system.  Landscaping in the area can now use recycled water for irrigation through the almost seven miles of pipe installed by the project. 

  • Dinuba’s Ridge Creek Golf Club was featured in The Boardroom Magazine in April, 2009.  Mary Cook & Associates features a clip on their web site citing Dinuba City Manager J. Edward Todd regarding the interior design.

  • Montebello City Administrator Richard Torres has announced his retirement after 32 years, 20 of them as Montebello’s top executive.  Assistant City Administrator Nick Pacheco, a former Los Angeles City Council Member, has been appointed Interim City Administrator.

    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 on the Trackdown Management Service Web site.