Two directors enter ...
I'm occasionally floored by the mug shots we dust off and put in the paper. In this year alone we've had a yearbook-worthy Steve Haderlein mug and a Chris Holden mug that looked like it was taken at the height of Lando Calrissian fever.
Not that Planning and Development Director Richard Bruckner called to complain this morning.
Police Chief Bernard Melekian didn't call either, unless there's something to my theory that Janet Pope Givens is really the chief in falsetto.
Pasadena eyes 2 for interim manager
Council interviews police chief, city's director of planning
By Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/01/2007 11:10:41 PM PDTPASADENA -- Two department heads will be considered for the interim city manager job on Monday by the City Council, which could decide to expand the search to outside candidates.
Before it gets serious about finding a new CEO for Pasadena Incorporated, the council wants to secure transitional leadership it can depend on for up to six months in that job, Mayor Bill Bogaard said Thursday.
"Our intention is to hire an interim until a permanent person takes office as city manager," Bogaard said. "The tremendous benefit of an internal appointment would be the person would know the city and know its current priorities, and know the people involved both on the city staff and in the community."
Richard Bruckner, director of planning and development, and Bernard Melekian, police chief, both confirmed Thursday they were interviewed by the council on Monday and would take the interim position if asked.
Asked if he was "next up" when Cynthia Kurtz announced her intent to resign after a decade on the job, Melekian told his staff he'd serve as interim if the council wanted him for the job, police spokeswoman Janet Pope Givens said.
A final decision was unlikely to be made next Monday, Bogaard said.
At the council's direction, City Hall will soon look for the right executive search firm to cast a wide net for potential applicants for the permanent job.
But the interim role may not serve as an audition for whoever lands the job.
"The council's present thinking is ... that we do not expect that person to compete for the position of permanent city manager," Bogaard said, because "outsiders will feel that person has an inside track."
Melekian isn't interested in the full-time gig, according to Pope Givens. Bruckner declined to elaborate on whether he was interested in the job.
Melekian did not return a call Thursday seeking comment.
When the time comes to figure out how they'll go about finding their new chief administrator - and what role the community will play in that process - the council will rely on the advice of its search firm, Bogaard said.
"In concept we're anxious to engage the community and allow them to provide views," Bogaard said, adding that "the council is the decision-making body ... but we recognize and respect the strong public interest and we welcome the wisdom of our community members."
Kurtz announced she will step down in mid-January for a private sector job with a Pasadena-based transportation consulting firm.
Bruckner holds a bachelor's degree in urban studies from Hartwick College, New York, and a graduate degree in city and regional planning from Ohio State University.
A career officer for more than three decades, Melekian has served as Pasadena's chief of police since 1996. He earned an undergraduate degree in American history and a master's degree in public administration from Cal State Northridge.
todd.ruiz@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444
www.insidesocal.com/pasadenapolitics
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