Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
After a morning of individual interviews and an afternoon of panel interviews, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) decided this afternoon to offer the position of City Clerk to Caroline Best, a 10-year city employee who currently serves as Legal Assistant to City Attorney Tammi Bach. Best beat out two other finalists: Teresa Bolden, who has worked as a city clerk for 11 years in Valdosta, GA; and Charmagne Manning, who has worked as a deputy city clerk in Alachua, FL for 24 months.
During the panel interviews, commissioners alternated asking the candidates questions from a list compiled by the city’s Human Resources Department. Following the final interview, they forwarded their score sheets to City Attorney Tammi Bach, who tabulated and announced the results. Best received three votes for first place, while the other two candidates each received one. Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican suggested that following the example set by former city commissioner Arlene Filkoff in voting to hire the city manager, the FBCC should vote to accept the results of ranking Best the commission’s first choice, which they did unanimously. Commissioner Charlie Corbett made a second motion which passed unanimously to rank Ms. Bolden second and Ms. Manning third.
Commissioner Corbett made a motion to form a committee consisting of City Attorney Tammi Bach, Human Resources Director Robin Marley and Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican to work out details of a contract offer for Best. City Manager Joe Gerrity said that the final approval of the contract, assuming both parties agree, can be voted upon at the January 21, 2014 FBCC meeting.
There was little public discussion among commissioners indicating why they ranked the candidates as they did. In addition to having experience as city clerks, both Bolden and Manning have been credentialed by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, but Best has not. Mayor Ed Boner said that he believed that Best was intelligent enough to learn the job and that it was good for morale to select an inside candidate for the position. It was the consensus of the commission that Best will be expected to obtain municipal clerk certification after she assumes the position. The accrediting process takes about 3 years.
During her interview Best characterized her management style as “leading by example” and collaborative. She said that she felt that integrity, confidentiality, honesty and fairness were all important qualities for a clerk. She said that she would never ask anyone to do something that she wouldn’t do herself. In response to a question about what motivates her, she said that challenges, accomplishments and hard work were all important, in addition to believing that she can have a positive impact. Best also indicated that she has significant institutional knowledge acquired by working in various departments over her 10 years with the city, that she is knowledgeable about issues facing the city, and that she believes she is well-liked, honest and fair in her dealings with all the departments. In response to a question she replied that she could not think of a time when a supervisor has not been happy with her.
After ratifying their selection the FBCC called Best back into Chambers to congratulate her. Best thanked the commissioners for their vote of confidence.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
January 13, 2014 5:05 p.m.
It is amazing how someone with no qualifcations can win over two other people with plenty of experience!!!!!!