The following listing of items/events/facts/issues was originally distributed in a March, 2010 Special Issue of the City Manager Newsletter by Trackdown. The newsletter is authored by former City Manager Jack A. Simpson. You may see the entire newsletter and all back issues without cost here.

Hawthorne City Manager Jag Pathirana was abruptly dismissed and former City Manager Jim Mitsch was appointed to replace him at a noon special council meeting this month. Jag was Hawthorne City Manager since 2006.  Jim Mitsch was a Hawthorne staff member for more than 20-years before he was appointed City Manager in 1991. He left the City Manager post in 1994.

Former Finance Director Rebecca Craig has been appointed Assistant City Manager in Elk Grove by City Manager Laura Gill.

Covina City Manager Daryl Parrish is looking for a safe comfortable pedestrian environment in the downtown area with sidewalk cafes, and slow traffic. Covina has launched a $215,000 study to develop a plan to provide widened sidewalks, bicycle lanes, slowed vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety on Citrus Avenue.

Former South El Monte City Manager Gary Chicots, who  recently concluded an Interim Assistant City Administrator assignment in Hawaiian Gardens with City Administrator Ernesto Marquez, is a Long Beach landlord.

Former Irwindale City Manager Steve Blancarte has been working hard to improve and tune his golf game so that he might join the Senior Tournament Circuit.

Lancaster Deputy City Manager Jason Caudle praises the environmentally compatible technology and the “fiscal sense” of the 2.5 megawatts solar electric power project approved in March.  The new solar project will generate enough electricity to power four hundred homes. It will provide electricity for six different City sites including City Hall, Clear Channel Stadium and the City’s performing arts center.  Upon completion, it will be one of the largest city-initiated solar projects in California.

New Hanford City Manager Hilary Straus, 38, an antique car buff, has a BA from the University of California, Davis and an MPA from USC.

Former Beaumont Finance Director Bill Aylward has been promoted to Assistant City Manager by City Manager Alan Kapanicas.

Clearlake resident Shirley Howland is an outspoken critic of City Administrator Dale Neiman. Revenue producing development proposals have garnered local opposition and a law suit by the Sierra Club.  Dale notes that the City’s fiscal condition is “terrible.”  “We don’t even have enough money to have a Web site.”

Actress Reese Witherspoon, 34, lives in Ojai.

Sacramento County Chief Operations Officer Nav Gill is a former Assistant City Manager and Finance Director in the City of Folsom.

Steve Pinkerton has been the City Manager in Manteca since June, 2008.  He served as Redevelopment Director in Stockton from 1994 to 2008.  He has also worked for the Cities of Long Beach and Redondo Beach. Steve earned a BA from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Urban Planning and a Master’s in Economics from USC.

Rio Dell Interim City Manager Jim Stretch has been dealing with a proposed annexation of the Scotia community.

Veteran City Manager Gene Rogers continues to serve as the Coachella Interim City Manager, as the City continues its recruitment process for a new City Manager. The City hopes to have a new City Manager on board by July 1.

Richard B. DeLong (1930 – 2010): Retired veteran City Manager George Caravalho informed us of the passing of his long-time friend and mentor Dick DeLong. Richard B. DeLong served as the Milpitas City Manager; the Mountain View City Manager; and as the San Mateo City Manager.  He also served as the Interim City Manager in Los Altos Hills.  Richard earned a 35-year ICMA Service Award in 1993.

Former Lodi Planning Director Rad Bartlam has been tapped to serve as the City’s Interim City Manager temporarily replacing City Manager Blair King, who is the new Coronado City Manager.

Veteran Benicia City Manager Jim Erickson, 64, has announced his retirement effective July 12. Jim served as City Administrator in Folsom and Millbrae prior to his current assignment in Benicia starting in 2003.

The National Civic League  announced the 2010 All-America City finalists include the California Cities of Dublin, Lynwood, Rancho Cordova and the Vernon Central (neighborhood).

Long-time Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank has announced his retirement at the end of November, 2010.  Ken has served as Laguna Beach City Manager since 1980.

Vallejo is selecting an executive search firm to conduct a thorough search for its next City Manager.  Interim City Manager Bob Adams estimates that a new City Manager could be in place as early as October.  Bob replaced retired City Manager Joe Tanner on a one-year contract, and he has PERS approval to work up to an additional 960 hours in the next year. Bob retired as City Manager in Manteca, and previously was City Manager in Lafayette and Dinuba.

Long-time Lomita City Clerk Dawn Tomita, 64, who was the City’s first employee following incorporation in 1964, is the new Lomita City Manager, succeeding Interim City Manager John Jalili and City Manager Tom Odom.  In addition, Community Development Director Gary Sugano adds “Assistant City Manager” to his title.

Though his performance met or exceeded expectations, Auburn City Manager Bob Richardson took a 10 percent reduction in pay and benefits during 2009, to help address a straining budget, according to a Placer Herald editorial.

Menlo Park Chief of Police Bruce Goitia, 53, will retire June 1 and plans a family summer trip to Spain, and upon his return will look for part-time work, possibly in law enforcement. Bruce has been with the Menlo Park Police Department for 28-years and became chief in 2006.

Downey Assistant City Manager Gilbert Livas, who is slated to succeed City Manager Jerry Caton when he retires next year, is the 7th child in his family, and born on the 7th day of the 7th month.  Beyond that, he will become the 7th Downey City Manager and he came to work for the City in 2007.

Condolences to retired City Manager Frank G. Tripepi, and Valentina Tripepi Shoop on the passing of their Dad, Frank Tripepi of Norwalk at the age of 91. Our prayers to the whole family.

Former Los Angeles Chief of Police Daryl F. Gates died at the age of 83 on Friday, April 16 after a short bout with cancer.  The Chief died at h is Newport Beach home with his family at his side.

W. Tracy Lenocker, a member of the Willdan Board of Directors, has a BS from the University of Florida and an MS from California State University, Long Beach.

Former Carpinteria City Manager and retired U.S. Army Colonel Allan R. Coates, Jr., 79, passed away February 9, 2010 in San Diego County. While he was  a high school teacher and coach following college he became involved in the incorporation of Carpinteria.  In 1965 he was elected to the first City Council and was selected Mayor. Following retirement from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in Kansas in 1991, Allen became City Manager in Carpinteria, where he served for 18-years before moving to Fillmore to become Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance. He retired from full-time public management in 1996.

The 2010 MLB season is underway.  Former City Managers Ray Harris and Don Pruyn were at the Angels’ Opening Day, April 5th in Anaheim. Ray is a former Hawaiian Gardens City Administrator and Don served as Duarte City Manager.  Ray is currently the Transportation Deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.

The following listing of items/events/facts/issues was originally distributed in a April, 2010 Issue of the City Manager Newsletter by Trackdown. The newsletter is authored by former City Manager Jack A. Simpson. You may see the entire newsletter and all back issues without cost at the Trackdown Management Services web site: www.trackdownmanagement.net