HAMILTON — Mike Samoviski began work Monday — his first day as Hamilton city manager — with an office stacked with unpacked boxes and a daily schedule filled with meetings.

        “My pager's been going off a lot, too,” he said with a laugh at mid-afternoon.

        Mr. Samoviski's busy first day on the job was a miniature preview of the large task he faces as he takes the helm of the city administration. He succeeds Steve Sorrell, who retired Friday.

        Hamilton is trying to rebound from tough financial times. This city of 60,000 residents has lost 3,000 jobs in the past three years and is projected to face large general-fund deficits beginning in 2004 if it stays on its current course.

        “The city's financial outlook is priority number one,” said Mr. Samoviski, the city's former public works director. “We have to look at cost-saving measures and revenue enhancement.”

        Before deciding on any changes in personnel or city operations, he will take time to talk to City Council and department and division heads to learn more about the issues facing Hamilton.

        “I need to step back, gather the facts and reassess,” Mr. Samoviski said.

        City Council's hiring of Mr. Samoviski on May 31 was surprisingly sudden. Mayor Donald Ryan and Councilwoman Kathy Becker voted against hiring him only because they wanted the kind of candidate search cities normally conduct for their top administrative position.

        “My vote wasn't against Mike, but against the process,” Mr. Ryan said.

        But five council members were so convinced that Mr. Samoviski was the man for the job, they didn't see the point of undertaking an expensive, time-consuming search for a new city manager.

        Mr. Samoviski had worked for Hamilton for 26 years before retiring 1 1/2 years ago to become the executive director of the Butler County Transportation Improvement District. When he retired from the city administration, he was the public works director.

        Mr. Samoviski, 58, grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Ohio University. He moved to Hamilton in 1974.

        Mr. Ryan said he fully supports Mr. Samoviski, who was one of the finalists for the same job four years ago when Mr. Sorrell was selected.

        “He understands how this city operates, and he's widely known in the community and at the city building,” Mr. Ryan said. “I'm looking forward to working with him and moving the city forward.”

        Mr. Samoviski said the city's success depends on City Council, the city staff and the unions working together for solutions.

        “We have some tough issues,” he said. “But I think they can be worked out.”

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