Manager Search Update: No Applications

The Fernandina Observer has learned that there have been no applications received for the city’s vacant city manager position in the 25 days following the termination of City Manager Dale Martin.

According to a public records request, Fernandina Beach City Clerk Caroline Best said in an email, “Regarding city manager applications, none have been received to date (March 17).”

Fernandina Beach Mayor Bradley Bean said at a city commission workshop that hiring a search firm to recruit city manager candidates wasn’t necessary because the city would receive numerous applications unsolicited.

Bean was overruled by a 4-1 vote, and a request for proposals for search firms is being put together for approval by the city commission at its next meeting.

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S. Russo
S. Russo(@waterboy1967)
1 year ago

Well, with all the drama that the media (Newsleader and this site) posts, why would anyone want to apply for the City Manager’s position?

These entities are cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Betsie
Betsie(@betsie-huben)
1 year ago
Reply to  S. Russo

It’s called transparency. Thankfully, that is what the free press in our country does. As citizens of a city in chaos, we deserve nothing less ahead of the next round of elections.

Kent Piatt
Kent Piatt (@guest_67736)
1 year ago
Reply to  S. Russo

So actuality is not the problem here. It’s all those silly people who insist on discussing it.

Mark Tomes
Mark Tomes(@mtomes)
1 year ago

One cannot blame these local media outlets for no one applying for the city manager position by reporting on what is happening in the city. The Republican commissioners have done it all themselves. I am grateful to the media for reporting on what is happening.

Sheila
Sheila(@srcocchi)
1 year ago

The volume of applications is not necessarily an indicator of qualified applicants. Even a first year recruiter would know that.

Any position with this much impact should carefully vet any applicants. A professional search firm is necessary.

Otherwise, you get what you pay for.

Mike
Mike(@mb)
1 year ago

A couple of points, anyone looking at this situation and reading these stories about this town’s government would think it’s a complete clown show. Take a step back and look at all the layers of bureaucracy that this small city has. To me it looks like a lot of people are on the government teet. Maybe it’s time to streamline the way things are set up and run. Have a great day.

Betsie
Betsie(@betsie-huben)
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike

Might want to read up on things. The city government is based on the city charter. Mr. Bean in specific had the opportunity to make efforts to “streamline” that when he was a member of the charter review committee. The folks we have have working for our city government do not control the structure of these things. They are doing their jobs.

Doug Mowery
Doug Mowery(@douglasm)
1 year ago

I’m more convinced than ever the next City Manager is living in the City now and probably has been for a long time. It’s just a question of “timing” of when that person is revealed.

Steve Vogel
Steve Vogel(@stevedec)
1 year ago
Reply to  Doug Mowery

And they will be related to someone else in City government. Nepotism at it’s finest.

Roy Chisolm
Roy Chisolm(@hwalker00)
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Vogel

Who?

Paula Mutzel
Paula Mutzel(@paula-m)
1 year ago

Remember Machiavelli…..

Jerry Torchia
Jerry Torchia(@agtorchia)
1 year ago

Poetic justice.i

Steve Vogel
Steve Vogel(@stevedec)
1 year ago

If you look back at the thread from March 15 “What a Mess We Are In”, you’ll see that I commented then that any decent person interested would back off in a hurry when they saw the mess that was Mr. Martin’s termination. Again. good luck to the City Commission. You made your own bed.

John Findlay
John Findlay(@jfindlay)
1 year ago

I am very concerned that the current Republican commission has already planned to nominate and approve one of their cronies! And, to the question of the reporting of what is going on becoming a deterrent to applicants, I would counter that the writings of Steve Nicklas and David Scott, as well as the online blogs, are at least as big a deterrent. Let’s hope that a strong City Manager is found who can do the right thing without being a yes man to the Republican Commission.