Kalispell, Montana – In Search of a City Leader

Just days after the city of Kalispell http://www.kalispell.com/ announced that it had narrowed to three its list of candidates for city manager, two of them withdrew from consideration. With just one man left standing, the council opted to push back a scheduled meet and greet and widen its search. Better that, I suppose, than making a hasty decision and giving the third finalist, Robert Stockwell of Riverton, Utah, the keys to the city.

What happened was David Johnston of Rantoul, Ill., dropped out of the running because he is considering taking another job and John “Jay” Krauss of Lewiston, Idaho, withdrew because he didn’t want to partake in a public interview. The latter excuse makes no sense at all, since forgoing the open screening would violate Montana law.

City officials will host a glad-handing session when another set of finalists is announced. It’s a good – even if it is required – first step in what should be a clean break from a former administration that struggled in several areas, but especially on the public relations front.

By Kellyn Brown

Full Story: http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/in_search_of_a_city_leader/8943/