Atherton City Manager To Remain Commuter

Atherton's new City Manager George Rodericks caught some heat this week for not moving to Atherton.

Atherton residents aired their concerns online.

"I am not sure I am OK with the city manager not wanting to live in Atherton & us paying him $28,000.00 a year more," a resident wrote in a group forum.

The main thing that troubled the group members was that Mr. Roderick's choice is costing the city money.  With his $160,000 per year salary, Roderick's is receiving a monthly stipend of $2,500 for travel costs.  He will receive that until he moves to Atherton, or June 30, 2013, whichever comes first, according to his contract.

Rodericks commutes to Atherton from a residence in Marin County, a fact that irks residents who say he should be their neighbor. The city has a house near Holbrook Palmer Park where city managers can live for free.

Rodericks' contract says he can "occupy the town-owned house at 160 Watkins Avenue, Atherton, California" free of charge as long as the city employs him. Almost free. He would have to pay for utilities.  But the town would pay the gardener.

Despite having what could be considered a fruitful arrangement, Rodericks is not a resident yet.

In a report to City Council, he said he can't relocate to the Watkins house due to some "challenges beyond his control."

What do you think?  Should city managers live in town?