Shawnee shortens its list of city manager prospects
Commissioners: Background checks, interviews to start

BY ANN KELLEY

Published: October 8, 2008

SHAWNEE — City commissioners have narrowed their search for a city manager to seven applicants.

Vice Mayor Pam Stephens said her committee has pulled seven prospects from a list of 34 applicants. She said there is a possibility one more could be considered, depending upon additional information they’ve asked that person to submit.

At Stephens’ request, commissioners Monday agreed to allow the committee to conduct background checks on candidates and interview them by telephone. Stephens said both are necessary, because committee members need more guidance in narrowing their search.

The committee is comprised of Stephens, commissioners Linda Peterson and Carl Holt and commissioner-elect James Harrod. It was established in September to sort through resumes.

Commissioner Tom Schrzan said he understood committee members would allow the new commission to hire a city manager. After the Nov. 4 election, three of the seven sitting commissioners will be replaced. If Peterson wins the mayor’s race, another person will be appointed to the commission.

"As long as the commissioners don’t select a city manager, progress will be fine,” Schrzan said.

Peterson said it was not the committee’s intention to make a commitment to any of the applicants.

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