BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON - To ease the transition from one city manager to the next, council members are expected to approve today funding for a new position - interim deputy city manager.
City Manager Richard Hayward, who announced his resignation earlier this month, said Monday that he plans to appoint former mayor C. Ed Patterson to the job to start Dec. 1. Mr. Patterson likely would serve until council hired a new city manager, a process that officials said could take up to nine months.
In his Nov. 10 resignation letter, Mr. Hayward said he would serve until May 31 or until he found another job. He interviewed for a city manager position in a Columbus suburb Nov. 13 and 14. Delaware Assistant City Manager Steve Stelzer said council members have made an offer to one of the three candidates they interviewed but are not releasing the name.
Mr. Hayward said Monday that he had not talked recently with Delaware council members.
Mr. Patterson is an ideal candidate to fill the interim deputy city manager position because he doesn't want the job permanently, Mr. Hayward said. While council members are searching for a new city manager, Mr. Patterson can serve as the bridge between Mr. Hayward's administration and that of a new manager.
"Richard's going to leave, whether it's January or May, and it's going to create a void," said Councilman Jim Reinhard, who supports the interim deputy position. "I think it's important to be proactive."
He expects the interim deputy to steer away from making policy decisions and instead to guide the staff and provide continuity over the next few months.
"It's important we don't put someone in there with their own agenda or plans," Mr. Reinhard said.
Council also is discussing a permanent deputy city manager position in the 1999 budget. That slot likely would be filled by the new city manager.
Mr. Patterson, who served on council from 1983 to 1987 and as mayor for the last half of his term, said Monday that he plans to accept the interim position.
He will either request a leave of absence or step down from his job as vice president of development for Bunnell Hill Development, a company owned by Lebanon businessman Mike Schueler. The city position would pay $5,200 a month, plus benefits.
"I decided if I could help them right now, I would," Mr. Patterson, 50, said. "I wanted to see a smooth transition."
