City and community panels meet face to face with city manager candidates

Community representatives interviewing seven candidates for a new Carson City manager saw a mix of management styles, personalities and experience and heard a variety of ideas Saturday.

"I think it was very interesting," said panel member Lee Radtke, a retired resident who worked in senior management during his career. "I thought we had a very high quality group and I think the city is really lucky to draw on this kind of talent. Carson City will be a winner."

The eighth candidate, Thomas Morrison, city administrator of Plainfield, N. J. from 1996 to 2002, bowed out of the running and did not attend the interview.

One applicant, who one panelist referred to as a "strong candidate" during the interview, was Jim Palenick, city manager of Bay City, Mich., from 1996 to 2002. Palenick was joined by his wife, Suzanne. He has a son, 8, and said he was attracted the opportunity in Carson City because of its geographical location, engaged citizenry and staunch commitment to quality of life and the environment.

His most recent salary is $92,970 per year by contract, with additional benefits. He now owns his own government consulting business.

"I think I tend to be a staunch advocate for things that I believe in passionately if it's what the community wants," Palenick said. "I'm not as good at being a status quo manager."

Palenick described himself as a facilitator, motivator, leader and coach. When dealing with conflict between governments, he said he has experience at matching interests and he believes in regionalism.

"You have to leave the ego at the table," he said. "At the end of the day, if you're still winning and you couldn't win the other way -- that's the way to go."

Linda Ritter, city manager of Elko, was the first to meet with community members. She appeared with fresh ideas and a sense of enthusiasm and warmth while her answers to many questions centered around building relationships with the community, city and elected officials.

"I'm fortunate to have a good relationship with the public and that's because I have an open door policy," Ritter said.

When asked about how she would communicate to the public, she said she believed it was important to tell the truth.

"It's important to establish positive relationships with the media and you do that by telling the truth at all times," Ritter said.

Ritter has had experience in resolving disputes between governments and her approach involves meeting face to face with the other manager to come up with a "road map" for the solution. Then, have the two political entities meet to work out the problem. When faced with a budget cutting situation, Ritter said it is her experience that recreational activities are the first to go.

Next to be interviewed was Rex Reed, currently the administrator of the Offender Management Division of the Nevada Department of Corrections.

He said his speaking skills and conveying messages quickly through verbal communications are his greatest liability, he said he considered himself a facilitator and favors empowering employees.

Reed said he believes in researching issues and finding win-win solutions to solve conflicts. "To me this is basically a step up," Reed said. "I'm basically trained for this."

Bruce Williams, city manager of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. since 1996, said the opportunity interests him because he wants to stay in the West.

A veteran and former combat fighter in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War, Williams got involved in city government as an intern out of college. He said people skills are number one in city government business.

"Being able to communicate in public is critically important," Williams said. He considers his role as one to follow the lead of elected officials. "I very rarely disagree with elected officials and, when I do, it's in public."

Williams said he has been involved in redevelopment projects and thinks Carson has a long way to go. He has also worked to develop a strategy to replace septic tanks with a citywide sewer system in Lake Havasu City.

David Fraser, city administrator of the City of Beloit, Kan., since 1998, said he and his wife have four children and have family i Nevada and California.

"One of the reasons I'm interested in this job is, it is where we want to live," Fraser said. He has managed three communities since graduating from Brigham Young University.

Fraser said his experience leads him to believe redevelopment districts are beneficial. "I think the city has an obligation to do what they can to stay ahead of the curve financially," he said.

Fraser said he believes strongly in having direct contact with the community, speaks regularly at community functions and considers himself an "open book" who is straightforward with the public.

"One of the things (Carson) has going for it is a low property tax rate," Fraser said. "That would be my intention here, to not raise that. It's always my bias not to do that."

Robert Hunt, former general manager of the Incline Village General Improvement District from 1984 to 1993, is now president of a student travel organization. He sees the job as a chance to lead and says he has the ability to look at economic development issues from 360 degrees. After 20 years in the area, he said "you get an appreciation for the conservative nature of the area," and had many ideas for solving budget problems and attracting economic development.

The last candidate of the day, Mike Mitchell, has been director of operations with the Carson City School District since 1991. He is married with two children and is a third-generation Nevadan.

"I'm fairly passionate about Nevada and I've grown to be passionate about Carson City," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he has experience selling ideas in his work with schools. About redevelopment, Mitchell said, "I'm a little nervous about diverting energies on a broad base in the community until you see some successes."

Community panel members included: Franklin Steinberg, personnel analyst; James Bawden of Landmark Homes; Don Bruce, a business owner; Dan Mooney of the Redevelopment Advisory Citizens Committee and C Hill Foundation; former Mayor Marv Teixeira; Larry Osborne of the Chamber of Commerce; Maxine Nietz, business owner; Lee Radtke, retired manager; and John McKenna of the school board.

The Carson Board of Supervisors will review recommendations from the community panel and a city panel at its meeting Thursday. The chosen finalists will appear before the board at its regular meeting April 17 when a selection is expected to be made.