After almost a year of searching, Polson is set to undertake a third go-around in its quest for a new city manager. The latest search, however, hit a glitch when one of the finalists withdrew last week.
The Polson City Commission announced last week that they were inviting three finalists for two days of interviews, tours and public meetings in Polson April 30 and May 1. The finalists were Lawrence Anderson of Missoula; Todd Crossett of Cocolalla, Idaho; and Kenneth Decker of Upperco, Md.
But just days later Decker called to say he was withdrawing his application. A Libby native, Decker is currently the town manager and zoning administrator for Hampstead, Md., a town approximately Polson’s size about 30 miles from Baltimore.
Polson Mayor Lou Marchello said the interviews for the other men will continue as planned.
“We still have two candidates who are very qualified, and who I think very much want the job,” Marchello said.
Anderson, who currently works for Congressman Denny Rehberg, is a former Missoula County Commissioner. He has also acted as Missoula’s chief administrative officer and served on the Missoula City Council. Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in forestry and range management and a master’s in business administration.
Crossett is a businessman and former Bonner County, Idaho, commissioner. He holds a master’s degree in international management and development.
Polson officials have struggled to fill the position, since the city’s first-ever manager Jay Henry resigned last summer to be with his family in Oregon. City Attorney James Raymond is serving as acting city manager.
In September, Paul Poczobut Jr. of Taylor, Ariz., was chosen to take over the city’s top position. But just days after verbally accepting the Polson job, Poczobut said he was taking a similar job in Orland, Calif instead. By that time, other top candidates were no longer available.
The city started over, but the second search ended with a candidate who wouldn’t take the city’s offer despite a unanimous commission vote in her favor.
Teresa Wall-McDonald, a Polson native who had administrative experience with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said she was uncomfortable taking the position after some commission members had questioned her experience and said she might be a risky selection at a meeting where they ranked candidates.
After negotiations with other candidates failed, the city began its latest search.
This time around, Marchello said the committee wouldn’t negotiate with candidates and would rank the finalists in an executive session, where the public is not allowed.
“It’s totally been a learning curve,” Marchello said, noting that this is only the second time the city has hired for this position. “We’re ready to have a new city manager in place.”
Thursday, April 30: Tour of Polson, the city’s facilities and city businesses; meet with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council.
Friday, May 1: Interviews with City Commission (open to public): 9 a.m., Todd Crossett; 11 a.m., Larry Anderson. Open house (open to public) at Papa Don’s Grill at the Polson Bay Golf Course, 5:30-8 p.m