City manager applicants plan visits around Baker

Published 3:07 pm Monday, November 9, 2009

While there’s no official meet and greet for Baker City residents to

interact with the four finalists for city manager, city officials

released a schedule of private meetings arranged around town.

Over the past weekend, city manager candidate Eric Strahl had a

breakfast meeting Sunday morning with Tim Collins, city manager pro-tem.

At a 1 p.m. luncheon Sunday at the Geiser Grand Hotel, city manager candidates, including Strahl, Tim Johnson and Clarence Hulse met with “several city residents” including Gene Stackle, city economic development manager; Kathleen Chaves; Amy Dunkak and Collins.

Strahl, Clarence and Hulse also toured the city with Stackle.

On Monday, city manager interviews were scheduled at 8:30 a.m. with Tim Johnson, Eric Strahl at 10:30 a.m. and then the same three candidates were scheduled for another lunch at the Geiser library with Ginger Savage, Mary Jo Carpenter, Karen Yeakley, Karen Woolard and Collins.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday, Hulse is scheduled for an interview at City Hall.

“City staff will be available anytime Monday for discussions with any candidate

who wishes. Teresa can arrange transportation and/or facilitate meetings,” according to the city manager candidate schedule released Monday.

A social gathering is scheduled for tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Sundridge Inn, with an hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar at 7:30 p.m. as an opportunity to meet and greet local citizens, including “city councilors, selected city staff, Sheryl Blankenship, Larry Pearson, Joe and Sharon Rudi, Fred Warner, Jerry Peacock, Peggi Timm, Troy Woydziak, Brian Olson and Matthew Clark, spouses, partners and guests of invited guests are also invited.”

On Tuesday, the agenda includes breakfast at the Inland Cafe with the three candidates and Tim Collins,

The fourth candidate, James Patrick, is on the agenda for the first time Thursday for a 9 a.m. interview at City Hall, followed by lunch at the Geiser Grand with Ann Mehaffy, Brian Olson, Debi Bainter and Mayor Dennis Dorrah.

Patrick and Mehaffy take a tour of the city at 2 p.m. Thursday and a social gathering Thursday at 5:30 p.m. followed by hors d’oeuvres and no host bar listed as an opportunity to meet and greet Patrick, with invited guests including “City Council, selected city staff, Dr. Charles Hofmann, Peggi Timm, Fred Warner, Francis Langrell, Mike Nelson, Troy Woydziak, Brian Olson, Matthew Clark, spouses, partners and guests of invited guests are also invited.”