CITY COUNCIL AT ODDS OVER CITY MANAGER

Cape Girardeau Assistant City Manager Doug Leslie says he won't seek the job of city manager.

Leslie informed the council of his decision Monday even as council members appeared divided over how best to conduct a search to replace retiring City Manager J. Ronald Fischer.

Mayor Al Spradling III suggested earlier in the day that the city might not conduct a search if Leslie wanted the job.

Councilman Tom Neumeyer agreed that the city might want to skip a search and hire Leslie.

"Doug has got excellent qualifications," Neumeyer said. "If anybody can fill Ronnie's shoes, Doug can."

But late Monday afternoon, Leslie made it clear he wasn't a candidate.

"I enjoy the work I am doing and feel at this point in my career this is where I want to be," Leslie said prior to the council study session.

In addition to being assistant city manager, Leslie also is the city's Public Works director. He joined the municipal government in 1990 as assistant Public Works director after serving as city manager of Nevada, Mo., for 11 years.

Spradling's suggestion that the search might be unnecessary prompted criticism from Councilmen Richard Eggimann and Melvin Gateley.

Both insisted that a comprehensive search is needed. The issue will be discussed Friday at the council's annual retreat at Black Forest.

Eggimann said the city needs a new city manager with fresh ideas.

"My hope is that we will find somebody who is really forward-looking and has a dynamic approach to city administration," he said.

Eggimann suggested the council appoint a search committee of three council members and three citizens.

He said he would like to see the committee include persons such as Chamber President John Mehner and former mayor Gene Rhodes.

The public, he said, should be involved in the search.

But Spradling said the entire council should be involved in the search.

The mayor said the city charter leaves the selection of a city manager up to the council and not a citizens committee.