WANTED: a city manager for Fernandina Beach

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 15, 2015 5:41 a.m.

Help Wanted sign held by man.

The firm of Colin Baenziger and Associates has begun work to recruit viable applicants for the position of city manager for the city of Fernandina Beach, FL. Joe Gerrity, current city manager, will leave by his choice at the end of the fiscal year.

Baenziger has posted the 8-page recruitment ad on its website: http://www.cb-asso.com/. The salary range for the position is listed as $100,000 to $140,000.

The ideal candidate will be “an outstanding leader and manager with a demonstrated track record of achievement.” With respect to specific skills, the Fernandina Beach City Commission has indicated that it is looking for an individual with “demonstrated success in management, finance, economic development and redevelopment. Knowledge of and experience with intergovernmental relations will be important to the individual’s success. Personally, the individual will be intelligent, upbeat, friendly, outgoing, organized, and positive—someone with a ‘can do’ attitude and is visionary, yet practical. She/he will also be consistent, cheerfully persistent, high energy, and definitely not a bureaucrat.”

The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31, 2015. Baenziger will screen applications during the month of August. Finalists will be selected on September 8, 2015. According to their announcement, a reception and interviews for the finalists will be held the end of September, with selection to follow soon thereafter.

Baenziger has scheduled a Town Meeting to discuss the requirements and the process with the public on July 21, 2015 at 4:00 pm at Fernandina Beach City Hall.

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’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.

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Trudie Richards
Trudie Richards (@guest_40390)
8 years ago

It might have been wise to set up the meeting with citizens a little earlier. I thought the job description of the so-called split between new residents and long-time residents bore little resemblance to our current challenges. To me at least, the disagreements are between those who would like development established as a priority without sufficient regard for implications, and those who would prefer our city work to maintain its wonderful character, such that development would proceed with caution and with a great attention to consequences.

Andrew Curtin
Andrew Curtin(@bkdriverajcgmail-com)
8 years ago

In view of the criteria above,we already have one-Joe Gerrity.Shame our city commission does not recognize that.