Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305220199
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
To help make sure the city has a good field of candidates, the consultant who is helping City Council in the search for a successor to Joel Schlanger will seek out people who did not apply.
"We want to have a strong field for the post - those who have applied as well as those the consultant firm has sought," said Vice Mayor Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr.
James Grisso, who was Schlanger's top assistant, is acting finance director and has applied for the job. Grisso, 47, has worked for the city for 18 years, including 15 years as deputy finance director.
Council members said their far-reaching search does not rule out the possibility, however, that Grisso will get the post.
Councilman Howard Musser said Friday that some residents might not like council's approach, but it must seek the best qualified candidate.
"A lot of people say, `put Grisso in there,' and may object to the method we are using," Musser said. "But you need to make sure you get the best qualified person in that position."
Musser said he believes it would be better for Grisso to compete with other candidates.
"If I was in his position, I would feel better if I went through this whole process and competed with some of the best out there, and then got it," Musser said. "If I were him, I would want to prove myself."
Grisso could not be reached for comment Friday.
Council members said the finance director will be a key position as city deals with growing financial pressures.
The post has been vacant for five months since Schlanger was forced to resign because he charged $1,788 in personal phone calls to the city.
Council has postponed the search for a finance chief because it has been busy with the new city budget, the Hotel Roanoke project and other issues.
Council is using an executive-search firm to help seek Schlanger's successor. Many private companies use similar companies to help staff top-level executive jobs.
The timetable for filling the post remains flexible, said Fitzpatrick, chairman of City Council's personnel committee.
But he hopes that a field of good candidates can be developed in the next 60 days. Council can decide then how many to interview.
Meanwhile, the city is also seeking a parks and recreation manager to succeed Gary Fenton, who resigned in March to take a similar post in Columbus, Ohio.
Unlike the finance director who will be selected by council, City Manager Bob Herbert will choose Fenton's successor. No timetable has been set for filling the vacancy, but a panel has been appointed to interview the finalists.
The panel will make a recommendation to Herbert, who chooses all department heads.
Lynn Vernon, the city's park planner, is acting manager of parks and recreation. But he is not interested in the top post on a permanent basis.
"That is not one of my career goals. I would rather manage parks than people," Vernon said.
Ken Cronin, city personnel manager, said Friday the city has a strong field of applicants from many parts of the country for the post, which was advertised nationally. Cronin did not have an immediate count of the number of applicants.
by CNB