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:
If we would have just stopped and “thunk,” we could have spared ourselves the embarrassment of mistaking San Marcos, Texas with the good folks of San Marcos, California in our December, 2012 issue. Many thanks for pointing out our error are extended to San Marcos Deputy City Manager Lydia Romero and Dan Weinheimer of Fort Collins, Colorado, formerly with San Marcos, California. Dan is a Past President of MMASC, and a USC alumnus. We apologize sincerely for our mistaken identity. By the way, Laura Rocha is the Finance Director in San Marcos, California.
Retired Arcadia City Manager Don Penman is the new Interim City Administrator replacing City Administrator Al Hernandez, who was placed on administrative leave December 7th. Don completed work assignments in Simi Valley, San Fernando, Baldwin Park and Arcadia.
Yorba Linda City Manager Steve Rudometkin retired effective December 28, 2012, but continues to serve as a contract employee while the recruitment for his replacement is conducted. A long-time Yorba Linda employee and served as the Director of Parks and Recreation beginning in 1980. Steve had joined the Pomona staff in a similar post and retired from there in February, 2009 and founded SR Consulting Inc. Steve previously work in Aliso Viejo, too. He was appointed Yorba Linda City Manager in August, 2010 to replace City Manager Dave Adams.
Fire Chief Randy Dunn will continue as the Colusa Interim City Manager at least until April and perhaps longer into the next fiscal year. Randy was asked to step into the city manager’s office with the departure of former City Manager Jan McClintock. The Chief said that he has no interest in being a full-time city manager.
Walnut Deputy City Manager Chuck Robinson, who joined the Walnut city staff in 2002, is the new Deputy City Manager in Tustin with City Manager Jeffrey C. Parker.
West Covina Community Development Director Chris Chung is the new West Covina City Manager replacing the retired City Manager Andrew Pasmant, 57, who has been working in an interim capacity during the recruitment. The new City Manager Chris Chung previously served as the West Covina Redevelopment Director for 14-years.
Oakland City Administrator Deanna Santana, a former San Jose Deputy City Manager, denies that she is leaving her position after less than two years on the job. She says that she has not applied or been interviewed for any other post.
Following a long and amazing career as a waste management and refuse disposal professional with Consolidated Disposal Services, Richard Fierro has stepped down from his position. Richard, known to many of his friends as “El Jefe,” currently lives in Chino with his wife Mary Fierro.
Fountain Valley City Manager Ray Kromer retired effective on Pearl Harbor Day (December 7th) this year, but continues to serve as the Interim City Manager while the city recruits for his replacement. Ray served as the Fountain Valley City Manager for 28-years.
Hughson City Manager Bryan Whitemyer will become the new Oakdale City Manager effective February 4, 2013. Oakdale’s Interim City Manager Stan Feathers will continue to serve until the end of the year, and then Waterford City Manager Chuck Deschene has agreed to serve as Interim City Manager until Bryan reports in February. Bryan has previously held positions in Modesto and Patterson.
Cloverdale City Manager Nina Regor has accepted the position of City Administrator for the City of Camas, Washington. She was appointed to the Cloverdale post in October, 2007. Nina ‘s duties in Cloverdale will end effective January 23, 2013.
Pacifica City Manager Stephen Rhodes has announced his retirement at the end of July, 2013. Before joining the Pacifica staff Steve worked in other local governments in both Oregon and California.
Monterey City Manager Fred Meurer has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2013.
Cudahy Senior Administrative Analyst Jessica Hernandez, formerly with Tripepi Smith & Associates, is a Board Member for Rosie’s Garage in La Habra. Rosie’s Garage is a nationally recognized after-school tutoring program of La Habra Neighborhood Housing Services founded in 1990.
Manhattan Beach and former City Manager Geoff Dolan reached a settlement of a pending lawsuit. Geoff stepped down from the Manhattan Beach City Manager post in 2009 after serving about 15-years in that position. Manhattan Beach City Attorney Quinn Barrow reports that the city spent an estimated $90,000 on legal costs regarding the suit. The current Manhattan Beach City Manager is David Carmany.
Keenan & Associates Executive Vice President Steve Gedestad serves on the Board of Trustees of the California City Management Foundation (CCMF). Fran Mancia, Government Relations Vice President for the Western Region for MuniServices, LLC, is also a Board member; as is Anthony D. Gonsalves of the Joe A. Gonsalves & Son professional legislative representation firm.
Hercules Deputy City Manager Liz Warmerdam has been selected to join the Alameda management team as Assistant City Manager working with City Manager John Russo. Liz began her city career as a Management Analyst in Alameda in 1997. She worked in Pinole as Assistant City Manager and took a similar position in Hercules in December, 2003 under then-City Manager Mike Sakamoto. She left the city staff roster for a time but worked as a consultant/project manager for the city. She rejoined the staff in 2009 as the Finance Director. Liz became Deputy City Manager in 2011 after serving as Interim City Manager. Liz replaces former Assistant City Manager Lisa Goldman, who is the new City Manager in Burlingame.
Laguna Woods City Manager Leslie Keane, 64, was booked into the Orange County jail on Friday night, December 21 after she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Leslie has served as the Laguna Woods City Manager since the city incorporated in 1999. Prior to that she held positions in Colton and Yucaipa.
Charles “Chuck” F. Spies, City Administrator in Lowell, Oregon is retiring. He no longer wishes to deal with the “…climate of conflict that seems to be permeating all levels of government…” Chuck served in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1995. He was the Turner, Oregon City Administrator from 1995 to 2003 when he took the Lowell post. He earned a BS at Oregon State University and an MBA at Golden Gate University.
Former Artesia Mayor and member of the ABC Unified School District Board of Education Gretchen Whitney passed away at the age of 99 on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at the Artesia Christian Home. She received a rare 50-year service pin as a member of the Artesia Cerritos Women’s Club. She served on the School Board for 22-years and Whitney High School is named in her honor. Her husband, who preceded her in death, was Harold “Buzz” Whitney. Gretchen was born January 5, 1913 in Pender, Nebraska.
Former Redding Assistant to the City Manager Nathan Cherpeski, who served as Alamosa, Colorado City Manager is the new City Manager in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Former Upland City Manager Robb Quincey has pleaded “no guilt” to felony corruptions charges brought by the San Bernardino District Attorney’s office.
Charles Rough was appointed Paradise Town Manager in 1996 and has been serving in a part-time “interim” capacity since his retirement last year. Beginning in January, 2013, Assistant Town Manager Lauren Gill, who has been with the city some 28-years, will serve as the Interim Town Manager.
Paul Philips is the new Deputy Executive Director for the California Contract Cities Association.
Orland City Manager Peter Carr and PMC contract planner Scott Friend presented a “State of the City” report to members of the Orland Chamber of Commerce in December at a local Round Table Pizza.
Since former Town Manager Michael Rock left Fairfax in June to become the Lomita City Manager, Town Clerk Judy Anderson has served in a dual roll adding Interim Town Manager to her plate. She has also sat on the Committee to find a new Town Manager with Finance Director Michael Vivrette, and Council Members Pam Hartwell-Herrero and John Reed.
City Manager Don Bradley has stepped down in Cathedral City after a 45-year career in local government, and Cathedral City Community Development Director Andy Hall has been appointed as the new City Manager. Andy joined the Cathedral City staff in 2009 after holding positions in Henderson, Nevada and a number of locations in Utah.
Christine Montana is the new General Manager of the Rossmoor Community Services District. Christine is a CPA and previously managed the Surfside Colony Community Service District, the Sunset Beach Sanitary District, and the Surfside Colony Storm Water Protection District. She lives in Huntington Beach. Christine will be replacing former Long Beach City Manager Henry Toboada in her new position, though Henry will continue as a consultant.
Fremont Chief of Police Craig Steckler, 68, is retired effective December 30, 2012. He is the newly appointed President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Craig began his career as a police officer with San Clemente, and worked with that department from 1968 to 1980. He later served as Police Chief in Piedmont, and joined the Fremont Police Department in 1986 as Deputy Chief. He has be Fremont’s “top cop” since 1992. Fred Diaz is the Fremont City Manager.
South Gate City Manager George Troxcil retired effective December 27, 2012. George joined the South Gate staff as a police officer in 1969 and retired as the Chief of Police in 2000. He came out of retirement in 2009 to serve as the Interim Police Chief, and he was appointed Interim City Manager in February, 2011 when City Manager Ron Bates was appointed to the Pico Rivera City Manager post. South Gate removed the “Interim” from George’s title in January, 2012. Former Burbank City Manager Michael Flad will take the South Gate City Manager’s office in December, though transition has already begun.
Hemet has returned Interim City Manager Mark Orme to his previous position of Assistant City Manager, and appointed former Temecula City Manager Ron Bradley, 72, to the interim post. Ron previously served as City Manager in Oceanside, La Mesa and Temecula, retiring in 1998. He served as Interim City Manager in Murrieta for much of 2007. Acting City Manager Aaron Adams has been formally appointed Interim City Manager in Temecula, replacing former City Manager Bob Johnson, who was formally terminated November 27 due to “differences in management philosophy and goals.” Bob was appointed Temecula City Manager in July, 2011 when City Manager Shawn Nelson retired. Aaron served in an “acting” capacity for about a month when Bob was placed on Administrative Leave. Aaron joined the Temecula staff as an intern in 1995 prior to becoming a Management Analyst in San Clemente. He returned to Temecula in 1996.
Fairfield in located in Solano County, and is name after 1859 founder and clipper ship captain Robert H. Waterman‘s hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. Sean Quinn was appointed Fairfield City Manager in 2007. Sean had previously served the city as the Director of Community Development starting in 1995. Prior to that Sean owned his own consulting company working in real estate, economic development and redevelopment. He earned a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sean serves on the CCMF Board.
Lincoln Assistant City Manager/CFO Anna Jatczak worked in San Jose from 1990 to 2006 when she became the Gilroy Assistant City Administrator. She was the San Jose Deputy Director of the Department of General Services when she left for Gilroy. She joined the Lincoln staff in 2010.
Imperial County Registrar of Voters and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Sylvia Bermudez, has announced her resignation. She indicated that she is moving out of the country with her fiancé. She has worked at the Imperial County Clerk’s office since August, 2001.
West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang is from Michigan where he graduated from high school and earned a BA in International Relations at Michigan State University.
Iowa has the highest number of high school students graduating, 88 percent. California had just 76 percent, ranking the Golden State 32nd in the Nation in graduating high schoolers. The District of Columbia is the lowest ranked with 59 percent. California spends $62 billion a year on schools, or just over $10,000 per student. North Dakota spends close to the same per student expense and graduates 86%.