By LESTER CHANG
Sunnyvale's next city manager should have not only managerial skills but the ability to get residents to work with government, residents told the Sunnyvale City Council at a Feb. 25 meeting to find out what the public wants in the next city manager.
Tom Lewcock, who has held that post since 1979, will step down in June to pursue consulting and teaching jobs.
Monica Watanabe, director of Leadership Sunnyvale--a group that teaches leadership skills and the ins and outs of city government to residents from all over the county--said Lewcock's successor should have good "people skills."
He has had a "tremendously positive impact" on the community during his tenure, and his replacement should be able to help resolve critical issues facing the city, said Cole Bridges, president of the board of directors for the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
Those issues include finding more uses for Moffett Federal Airfield, resolving land and transportation issues and making the best use of city staff and resources in the face of dwindling funds, he said.
Werner Gans, a Sunnyvale resident, said Lewcock's successor should have at least five years experience as a city manager of a California city of at least 50,000 people.
Ron Swegles, also from Sunnyvale, said the city should not limit its search to California. "We had such a wonderful draw from Minnesota, in regards to Tom Lewcock," he said.
Lewcock was the city manager of New Brighton, Minn., from 1972 to 1977.
Under a contract of less than $35,000, the city hired David M. Griffith & Associates to conduct a nationwide search.
The company, which has a branch office in Sacramento, began recruiting in the first week of this month and will receive applications until March 19, said Deputy City Clerk Carol Ann Butler.
The council plans to interview candidates in May and will make a decision in June, she said. Councilman Landon Curt Noll praised Lewcock for his work. "If there was a way we could keep him, we would," he said.
Lewcock said he has talked with officials at Hayward State University about teaching public administration. Lewcock has 27 years of government experience.
Lewcock, who has won national awards for government service, said his biggest achievement was providing Sunnyvale residents with low-cost, high-quality service.
David Vossbrink, the city's community relations officer, said Lewcock reached that goal through a management system that encouraged a strong working relationship between the council and city staffers.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, March 5, 1997.
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