Troy City Manager Candidate: Vincent Pastue

The following information was taken directly from the candidate's résumé and questionnaire answers, which are available on the City of Troy's website. 

Name: Vincent D. Pastue

Current Position: Farmington City Manager (since 2003)

Past Positions: County Administrator/Controller, Isabella County; City Manager, City of Clare; Assistant City Manager, City of Belding.

Current Salary: $94,900 (plus $670 monthly vehicle and phone allowance)

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (U of M – Flint, 1982); Completed all coursework toward Master of Public Administration (MSU).

Major Accomplishment: Developed an Operating and Capital Improvement Plan to maintain operations and infrastructure investment through the difficult economic period in Farmington.

What experience would you bring to Troy?: "I have worked in Oakland County for the past nine years. I have a good understanding of the regional agencies municipalities work closely with on a regular basis: Oakland County government, Road Commission for Oakland county, Oakland County Water Resources Commission, Michigan Department of Transportation, Detroit Water and Sewer, Michigan Municipal League, SMART (regional transit), and SEMCOG. I am familiar with the economic challenges facing southeast Michigan and how it translates to municipal finances. I will be the Oakland City Manager's coordinator for our monthly luncheons beginning in September; I know most managers in the county. Existing relationships will be important as municipalities consider expanding shared services opportunities to reduce operating costs to address on-going fiscal challenges."

Why are you interested in this position?: "I am interested in the Troy City Manager for several reasons. First, Troy is a very nice community that is safe and clean, along with being conveniently located to recreational/entertainment opportunities, shopping, and restaurants. Second, it is a larger community that would provide a new professional challenge. Third, it keeps me in Michigan near family; my mother is now in a nursing home in the Flint area and her health is failing. Fourth, I enjoy living in Oakland County and the metro Detroit area."

How would you handle Troy's divisive political climate?: "Management of city operations is essentially apolitical. Employing good management principles are universal regardless of ideological differences. The city manager needs to manage the day-to-day affairs without the burden of political concerns and to be confident in this approach. Decisions and recommendations need to be based on fact, sound reasoning, and professional judgment. I do not believe a manager can be successful when trying to always gauge the political winds. It is critical that the manager needs to establish with the city council and community the expectation of a professional ethic in which he/she is not driven by ideological positions but good sound public management. I have always counseled employees that we need to maintain the high road and that our character and motives must never become an issue. Having said all that, it is incumbent on the city manager to be politically astute as it pertains to certain hot-button issues. Knowing how to present a topic that could be politically charged requires skill, timing, and good fortune. The objective is to move the council toward a reasoned decision without creating too much rancor. I typically meet with council members individually to discuss major upcoming items well in advance of them being presented publicly. It provides an environment that is conversational while allowing feedback before the item is presented publicly. This sometimes mitigates strong public reactions. Finally, there is usually more commonality with city councils that what is perceived even when significant ideological differences exist. The city manager needs to build on these positives continually. Sometimes, when possible, you need to manage the flow of major agenda topics to allow for healing after a difficult contentious issue."

To view the candidates' full résumés and questionnaire answers, see the attached document.