Twelve Apply for City Manager Job

So far, 12 people have applied to become New Port Richey’s new city manager.

New Port Richey started advertising the city manager position the week of June 1, and the deadline for filing an application closes July 1.

The council opted earlier this year to postpone the search for the important position until after this past  April’s elections. Two new council members: Jeff Starkey and Chopper were voted onto the board in the election.

The last permanent city manager was John Schneiger, who departed this past October after saying he felt he lost the support of the majority of the council at that time.

Susan Dillinger has been serving as interim city manager since Schneiger’s departure. She also serves as the head of the New Port Richey Public Library. She has said she is not interested in keeping the city manager job permanently.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that it looks like some city council members are also ready to drop the “interim” from the interim city police chief position.

Kim Bogart is currently serving as the interim police chief.  

New Port Richey’s last full-on police chief was James Steffens, who left the department this past March and took a job as chief forensic investigator with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.  

Bogart has been acting as interim chief since March.

The following people have applied for the city manager job. The information included was listed in their applications.

• Lee Evett, Lake Alfred, Fl. Former city manager for Pueblo, Col., Jupiter, Fl., Clayton, Miss., Cape Coral, Fl.

• Danny George, Clinton, Ok. President and CEO of Oklahoma Group, Inc., a “government relations firm” that specializes in consulting and contract lobbying. Former city manager of Holis, OK. Former Former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives  

• Andrew DeCandis, Jacksonville, Fl. Director of planning and  governmental relations for Orange County Schools

• Charles Bosco, Malaga, N.J. former director of public works for Southampton Township/Bucks County, Feasterville, Penn.

• George Ducas, Irving, Tex. Architect involved in national and international projects, including a project in London.

• D. Aaron Blair, Albany, Ga. Downtown city manager and CEO of City of Albany & Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority. Former Collier County executive director of Collier County CRA

• Simon George, St. Petersburg. Wastewater treatment plant manager in Tampa.

• Mathew Blankenship, New Port Richey. Installation manager role at Lowe’s Home centers. 

• Alan Grindstaff, Crowley, Tex. Consultant, former city manager of Crowley, Tex.

•  Michael Stampfler, Portage, Mich. Town manager, West Warwick, R.I. Former manager of Talladega, Ala., Casselberry, Fl.,  and Portage, Mich.

•  John G. Metsopolous, Redding, Conn. Consultant, former program manager for U.S. 17-92 CRA, program manager for South Florida Development Agencies

• Laura Grainger, Houston, Tex.  Consultant and project manager or Houston First Corp. Former assistant director of Houston I.T. Department,  Airport system.