| Professionals From California, Florida and Missouri Are Finalists For City Manager Position |
| Matt Brower |
| Matt LeCerf |
| Bill Cahill |
|
Tensions are likely to be high as each candidate will be asked questions in front of their colleagues and struggle to come across as
personable yet professional. Making small talk or humor that is not offensive to their would be nine future bosses - is not an easy task
and perhaps the best test for a would be future city manager.
Two of the candidates, Matt Brower 43 and Bill Cahill, 54 are currently serving as Assistant City Managers of their respective cities in
Florida and California. Matt LeCerf, the youngest who is 33 years old, is the only current City Manager in the group and manages the
City of Maryville, Missouri. Whether either of his more senior competitors will make subtle jabs regarding the "quaint" nature of the
tiny city he currently manages remains to be seen. The interaction with city staff and the public will be televised on the city's cable
channel thus any comments of this sort are likely to boost the city channel viewer rating.
LeCerf has a reputation in his city for embracing new technologies when communicating with the public. One example is a Twitter
account he maintains to inform his council and the public of his every move. He was described by subordinates as energetic, thorough
and "modern" in his approach to city problems.
According to sources on the Loveland's City Council, Matt Brower is likely in the lead today but that can all change with the upcoming
two-day face-to-face interactions. Brower does have a work history as a city manager of a small town in Utah and has only been in
Florida only since 2008. While he currently manages utility services, Brower listed among his previous accomplishments overseeing a
downtown street scape reconstruction project and renovating the city’s historic downtown area which is a popular theme among both
sides of Loveland's sometimes divided city council.
Bill Cahill, the candidate with the most years of experience, appealed to members of Loveland's City Council for his extensive
knowledge and background in economic development. Attracting primary jobs to Loveland has been a consistent campaign theme in
previous city elections so it is likely some councilors are looking for a city manager who can provide better guidance in issues the city
has clearly lacked capable leadership in the past.
Two internal city candidates were not selected to the surprise of some in city hall. It is likely the city council is reaching outside the
city to inject a more professional style of management into the culture of city hall. The only clear downside from the current slate of
candidates is their mutual lack of familiarity with Colorado State Statutes. All 3 candidates will need to be working on a very steep
learning curve during their first year on the job to become familiar with the many state laws that apply differently to local governments
in Colorado than in their home states.
personable yet professional. Making small talk or humor that is not offensive to their would be nine future bosses - is not an easy task
and perhaps the best test for a would be future city manager.
Two of the candidates, Matt Brower 43 and Bill Cahill, 54 are currently serving as Assistant City Managers of their respective cities in
Florida and California. Matt LeCerf, the youngest who is 33 years old, is the only current City Manager in the group and manages the
City of Maryville, Missouri. Whether either of his more senior competitors will make subtle jabs regarding the "quaint" nature of the
tiny city he currently manages remains to be seen. The interaction with city staff and the public will be televised on the city's cable
channel thus any comments of this sort are likely to boost the city channel viewer rating.
LeCerf has a reputation in his city for embracing new technologies when communicating with the public. One example is a Twitter
account he maintains to inform his council and the public of his every move. He was described by subordinates as energetic, thorough
and "modern" in his approach to city problems.
According to sources on the Loveland's City Council, Matt Brower is likely in the lead today but that can all change with the upcoming
two-day face-to-face interactions. Brower does have a work history as a city manager of a small town in Utah and has only been in
Florida only since 2008. While he currently manages utility services, Brower listed among his previous accomplishments overseeing a
downtown street scape reconstruction project and renovating the city’s historic downtown area which is a popular theme among both
sides of Loveland's sometimes divided city council.
Bill Cahill, the candidate with the most years of experience, appealed to members of Loveland's City Council for his extensive
knowledge and background in economic development. Attracting primary jobs to Loveland has been a consistent campaign theme in
previous city elections so it is likely some councilors are looking for a city manager who can provide better guidance in issues the city
has clearly lacked capable leadership in the past.
Two internal city candidates were not selected to the surprise of some in city hall. It is likely the city council is reaching outside the
city to inject a more professional style of management into the culture of city hall. The only clear downside from the current slate of
candidates is their mutual lack of familiarity with Colorado State Statutes. All 3 candidates will need to be working on a very steep
learning curve during their first year on the job to become familiar with the many state laws that apply differently to local governments
in Colorado than in their home states.
Loveland - August 4, 2010
The Loveland City Council has invited the three
finalists for their selection as Loveland's next city
manager to visit the Sweet Heart City August 19-20
in a kind of reality dating show candidate down select
process. The three candidates have been invited to
bring their wives as they tour Loveland, answer
questions in an open forum with city staff and later
the public while finally ending one day in an intimate
dinner along with the nine members of Loveland's
City Council at a public restaurant.
It is unlikely the typical nasty back and forth
common with reality show dating contestants will be
on display as each candidate tries to impress the
members of the city council. However, similar to
reality shows like Flavor Flav, The Bachelor and
Trump, each candidate for the city's top post will be
forced to think on their feet while being evaluated by
their competition during the two day visit.
The Loveland City Council has invited the three
finalists for their selection as Loveland's next city
manager to visit the Sweet Heart City August 19-20
in a kind of reality dating show candidate down select
process. The three candidates have been invited to
bring their wives as they tour Loveland, answer
questions in an open forum with city staff and later
the public while finally ending one day in an intimate
dinner along with the nine members of Loveland's
City Council at a public restaurant.
It is unlikely the typical nasty back and forth
common with reality show dating contestants will be
on display as each candidate tries to impress the
members of the city council. However, similar to
reality shows like Flavor Flav, The Bachelor and
Trump, each candidate for the city's top post will be
forced to think on their feet while being evaluated by
their competition during the two day visit.
| Sept. 1, 2010 Update: Matt Brower was eliminated from consideration during a closed door meeting of Loveland's City Council |