A reminder: Salisbury residents concerned about the cityís future ó and its future leaders ó should take advantage of a meeting set for 5 p.m. today in City Hall.
This is your chance to be involved in the search for a new city manager.
Do you want a bridge builder or a budget master? Someone non-traditional or a seasoned veteran?
Questions like that may come up as a facilitator runs the session in City Council Chambers at 217 S. Main St. To conduct the search and help with the hire, the city has contracted Springsted Inc., whose list of clients in this region includes several local governments in Virginia ó Bristol, Petersburg, Winchester, Goochland County and Arlington County, to name a few. The firm has offices in other parts of the country as well.
Those who attend the meeting will have an opportunity to give feedback on what the city should be looking for ó ětraits, credentials and views regarding the qualifications necessary for potential candidates,î according to a city press release.
Mayor Susan Kluttz says citizen input is vital; all feedback will be recorded and used.
For those who cannot attend the meeting, the city has posted a survey online. Human Resources Director Zack Kyle says the cityís goal is to get input from every citizen who wants to take part.
You can find the survey at http:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/FK73RVH or by visiting www.salisburync.gov and clicking the City Manager Survey link under Quick Links.
The survey asks for your name and other information and then offers lists to prioritize. Should the city manager be a bridge builder, an articulator, an entrepreneur, a director, a budget master? (The survey includes more explanation.) Prioritize those traits. Do the same for these: up and coming, non-traditional, seasoned veteran, well-grounded, technician.
The natural impulse is to want it all, but the survey asks that you prioritize, something City Council will have to do as the search proceeds. Youíd like to hire someone who can do everything, but if the Perfect Candidate is nowhere to be found, which traits are the most important?
The survey also includes some open-ended questions. List the top three issues you believe the new city manager will have to address. If you could interview candidates for the job, whatís the one question you would want to make sure you asked and why?
Now that longtime City Manager David Treme has retired, the search might open some citizensí eyes to all the demands on his job. Choosing a replacement could be the most important decision City Council makes this decade. Let council members know what you think is most important.