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- City gets 38 city mgr. applications
- SUNNYSIDE (7-21-98)--The city has received 38 applications for the city manager position, after placing ads literally around the world.
And the citizen screening committee has recommended seven or eight candidates it likes best.
But Sunnyside City Council has changed its mind about releasing names of city manager candidates for now. At least until the finalists are pared down to three or four.
That decision on secrecy was controversial last night. Some citizens believed the council was going back on its word to bring the top seven out so the public could ask them questions.
Others thought it prudent to keep the names confidential for now, mostly for the candidates' sakes. Some candidates are working. If they don't get the position, it could hurt them if their present employers hear they've applied in Sunnyside.
"At first I said release the names. But now I say don't release them," said Councilman Chad Werkhoven. He indicated he has gained some new insights since his first statements.
"I appreciate the trust of the citizens of Sunnyside. I ask that you trust us. We're not railroading this through," Werkhoven said of the city manager selection process.
Councilman Mike Farmer agreed. "I believe the selections should be made in closed chambers. Using a business analogy, Farmer said "I don't believe the customer base should be in on picking a new employee."
Councilman Errol Brown noted there's no faster way to damage the image of a local government than violations of confidentiality.
Councilman Don Vlieger said he was concerned about creating a circus atmosphere to the job of hiring the city's top administrator. "I believe at least the first round of interviews should be closed," he said.
Mayor Ed Prilucik concurred with the other councilmen present a last night's meeting.
Bruce Epps, who chairs the screening committee, said the process is definitely private, not public.
"Candidates do better in private. After the field is narrowed, people can have a town hall atmosphere and interview candidates," Epps suggested.
- Others spoke out against the city's decision, including Don Outhet.
"Earlier, I believed in the process as outlined by the council...We have a right to see these seven--not the last two or the last one. Then it's too late to ask questions. Let's get the best of seven," Outhet said.
He said if the candidate can't field questions of the public, he's not the best candidate.
"I want the best of seven, not three. The public wants to be a part of that process,' Outhet said.
Tom Biehl said he takes exception to Outhet's view. "If I were a CEO, I'd probably not be inclined to (work with a) council that didn't have the confidence of the people. Workhorses often don't necessarily shine at the first public meeting," he said.
Addressing the council, Biehl said "You are qualified; you were voted in by the people in confidence," he said.
- Gary Street said the process should not be confrontational. "This isn't a circus," he said.
Jerry Taylor, former councilman and screening committee member, told the group the the committee had reviewed 38 applicants. The committee picked eight. The council will decide the top three after interviews. "The council still has the option of looking over all 38, in case we missed something," he said.
Taylor said the council also plans to visit the towns of chosen candidates to find how they did there. As a practical matter, it would be too expensive in time and money to visit seven, he said.
Mayor Ed Prilucik said the earlier idea of presenting seven candidates for town hall type inspection by the public was not set in concrete.
- "It was only a guideline," Prilucik said.
Mark Kunkler, city attorney and acting city manager, said state law doesn't require the city to disclose applications, according to public record laws. At the same time, the open meetings act authorizes councilmen to discuss candidates' qualifications in closed session.
"Applicants assume confidentiality will be maintained," Kunkler said.