Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – Warren City Council continues to zero in on a new City Manager.
At Monday’s meeting, Council approved by a 5-1 vote to have the search committee begin negotiations with a proposed candidate.
Former City Manager Nancy Freenock retired at the end of October, with Director of Public Works Mike Holtz serving as acting City Manager since that time.
“I believe the candidate the search committee has brought forward would be a great asset in leading our city,” said Mayor Dave Wortman.
The one “no” vote on came from Councilwoman Wendy McCain, who said that while she believed the candidate in discussion would be a good choice, disagreed with the search parameters of the search process.
“In October, the search committee narrowed the field of applicants to one candidate and the council voted to proceed with negotiations,” McCain said. “However, during the negotiation process, the council determined not to proceed with the candidate.
“The candidate we are now being asked to enter into negotiations with was not the candidate interviewed. Following the established process will help to ensure this candidate truly wants to be the City Manager and would be a good fit for that role. I haven’t said anything about the candidate not being a good fit, but we have a process in place and I don’t see the harm in opening it up and seeing if there are other interested applicants.”
Wortman responded by saying that the former process the council had was no longer in place.
“That was a procedural issue and not applicable in this set of circumstances,” Wortman said. “The candidate at this point in time has my full vote of confidence.”
Other council members express their confidence as well.
“The candidate has the same vested interest as the council,” said Councilwoman Danielle Flasher. “I think this is the best fit to see us through our current and future process and that this candidate will fulfill that role very well.”
