Erdman refutes city manager rumors

Pasadena spokeswoman Ann Erdman dismissed as rumor a recent post on the Foothill Cities blog that suggests the city has already settled on a new city manager.

The post, which was apparently triggered by a Foothill Cities reader quoting a "fairly reliable source," stated that a permanent replacement for recently retired City Manager Cynthia Kurtz had been selected last Wednesday, and that the winning candidate was a woman and former Glendale city manager.

"The City Council doesn't even meet on Wednesdays," said an incredulous Erdman upon being told about the blog post. "The application process hasn't even concluded yet."

Erdman said the city will continue accepting applications for the post, currently being filled by Interim City Manager Bernard Melekian, for about a week until this Friday. This posting by Bob Murray & Associates, which the city hired to conduct the city manager search, lists the deadline for applications as April 30.

Just out of curiosity I started plumbing my old Glendale contacts to find out if they've had any recent female city managers. It doesn't sound like they've ever had one.

Glendale spokesman Ritch Wells said that before current City Manager Jim Starbird -- who formerly headed West Covina City Hall -- the Jewel City was headed by Dave Ramsey, who served as city manager for about seven years. Ramsey was preceded by Jim Rez, another long-serving city manager.

"To my knowledge Glendale hasn't had a female city manager," said Wells.

He added that if Pasadena's application process is still ongoing, city ordinances would preclude the council from settling on a candidate at this point.