The newsletter is authored by former City Manager Jack A. Simpson. You may see the entire newsletter and all back issues without cost here.

Laura Mapes, a former member of the Union City Fire Department, has filed a $500,000 lawsuit claiming that she was passed over for promotion because of her gender, and was subsequently targeted as the only Fire Department personnel to be laid off due to budget cuts. She names the City, Fire Chief Carlos Rodriguez (who will retire this month), Administrative Services Director Rich Digre and Deputy City Manager Tony Acosta.  Those officials and City Manager Larry Cheeves, of course, are not commenting on the pending legal action.

Menlo Park City Manager Glen Rojas announced the appointment of Bryan Roberts as Chief of Police, pending the completion of a background investigation.  The new chief will replace retired Chief Bruce Goitia.  Bryan Roberts is currently a Commander in the Citrus Heights Police Department.

Hesperia Assistant City Manager Brian D. Johnson is a former Finance Director/City Treasurer who served as Interim City Manager in Grover Beach.

City Manager Paul Philips has been working a special assignment in Seal Beach.

Pedro Carillo is the Interim Chief Administrative Officer following the resignation of Bell‘s long-time Administrator Robert Rizzo, Police Chief Randy Adams and Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia. Pedro was an unsuccessful candidate for the 46th Assembly District seat in April, 2001.  He most recently has served as a Principal and management consultant for Urban Associates, Inc.  Angela Spaccia has resigned as Maywood‘s Interim City Manager.

Visalia City Manager Steve Salomon is the highest-paid local government administrator in Tulare County at $181,334 annually.

Congratulations to Jay and Cortney McKinney on the birth of their daughter Hannah, who, of course, is Atascadero City Manager Wade McKinney‘s first grandchild.  Hannah’s father, Wade’s son Jay McKinney, is 7 feet tall.

Long Beach Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski died suddenly last week at the age of 40 from a brain aneurysm.  City Manager Pat West said that David’s death is a tremendous loss to the City of Long Beach.  Pat said, ” He was always the smartest person in any room he was in…a wonderful, wonderful human being and wonderful family man.”Bob Van Nort, 67, is back.  Bob has been appointed Interim Eastvale City Manager in Riverside County.  Bob has served as City Manager in Big Bear Lake, Diamond Bar, Chino Hills and Sun Valley, Idaho along with some interim assignments.

Long-time and highly respected Clovis City Manager Kathy Millison, 58, is the new Santa Rosa City Manager. Kathy is a Past President (1998-99) of the League of California Cities City Managers’ Department.

Long-time Bell Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo, 56, sought alcohol abuse counseling after he was arrested in March on suspicion of drunk driving near his home in Huntington Beach. Bob has since resigned his position in Bell, where the community expressed outrage over his nearly $800,000 annual salary. In 1988 Robert Rizzo was the first employee hired by the then new City of Hesperia.  He left that post in 1992.

Antioch, where Jim Jakel is City Manager, has a sales tax increase on the November ballot which would take their local tax to 9.75%.

Former Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Ted Marconi, a duplicate bridge player, is the new City Manager in Mount Shasta where City Manager Kevin Plett‘s contract expired.

Steve Rudometkin, a longtime member of the city staff, is the new Yorba Linda City Manager replacing retired Dave Adams.

Acting Montclair City Manager Edward C. Starr has been selected as retired City Manager Lee McDougal‘s replacement.  Ed served as Deputy City Manager under Lee.

Aliso Viejo City Manager Mark Pulone has earned a 7.5 percent salary increase for his hard work to keep the city in good financial shape during the current economic downturn.  As many City Managers across the State, Mark has been doing “more with less” during the tough economic times.

Lawndale City Manager Keith Breskin, who was initially replaced by Deputy City Manager Otis Ginoza in June in an “Acting” capacity, has been replaced by Interim City Manager Dayle Keller, 66.  Dayle retired after serving as City Manager in Baldwin Park, Beaumont, and Taft.  She also served as Interim City Manager in Dana Point and American Canyon.  Previous to his service in Lawndale Keith Breskin served as City Manager in King City and Arcata.

Overland, Illinois City Manager John Nachbar is the new Culver City Chief Administrative Officer.

Yorba Linda City Manager Dave Adams resignation comes on the heels of the May resignation of City Attorney Sonia Carvalho.  Dave had been City Manager since July, 2009, coming to the city after serving as the San Juan Capistrano City Manager.  Dave followed former Yorba Linda City Manager Tamara Letourneau.

City Manager Marty Lomeli will retire in August, 2010 after 23-years as the La Verne City Manager. Marty has worked for La Verne since 1981 when he moved over from Rosemead.  He became City Manager in 1987.  Assistant City Manager Robert T. Russi has been appointed La Verne‘s next City Manager.

Diane MacMillan, 51, is the new Oroville Interim City Administrator for 60-days. She will take over for former City Administrator Sharon Atteberry, who declined to renew her employment agreement. Diane has worked with the City of Oroville for the past 25-years.

Perris Planning Director Brad Eckhardt, 48, died on the fourth of July when he collided with a truck after losing control of his motorcycle on a ride in northern San Diego County. Brad lived with his wife and three children in Temecula.

Dan Martinez, Managing Director of the Riverside County Economic Development Agency is the new Indio City Manager replacing the retired City Manager Glenn Southard.

Pamela Antil is the new Assistant City Manager in Palo Alto, selected by City Manager James Keene. Pam fills the position that has been vacant since May, 2008 following the resignation of Emily Harrison. Pam has management experience working in Assistant City Manager posts in Novi and Ann Arbor, Michigan and in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Roger Brooks of Destination Development International suggests that Oxnard change its name to “Oxnard Shores”  for tourist appeal.


The following listing of items/events/facts/issues was originally distributed in the August, 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 for FREE at the Trackdown Management Services web site: www.trackdownmanagement.net