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Whitewater residents get chance to meet city manager finalists

WHITEWATER — Whitewater residents this afternoon can meet the five finalists to fill the city manager post.

The position is vacant following the resignation of Kevin Brunner, who left in July to become director of special services for Walworth County.

City Council President Patrick Singer announced a public reception today from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Whitewater Innovation Center, 1221 Innovation Drive. A public forum in the Whitewater Municipal Building's Community Room at 6:30 p.m. will follow the afternoon reception. The public will have an opportunity to submit questions to the finalists at the evening forum.

"The Council was impressed by the caliber of candidates presented," Singer said. "We will have a great opportunity to evaluate the candidates through the interview process and community feedback. The council is excited to make a selection that will move our community forward."

Singer said the council wants to make a decision by Saturday evening following final candidate interviews Saturday by council members.

The five finalists are:

-- Cameron Clapper—He is the interim Whitewater city manager. He has seven years experience in local government management. He received a Master of Public Administration degree from Brigham Young University.

-- Edward Gil de Rubio—He most recently served as city manager in Trinidad, Colo. He was terminated from that position on a 4-3 vote. Since that vote, one of the four council members has been recalled and another, the mayor, has resigned. Tom Murphy, owner and publisher of The Trinidad Times Independent, said the city of Trinidad is asking Gil de Rubio to return as city manager. He has 22 years experience in local government management. He received a Master of Science in Public Administration from Sage Graduate School, Albany, N.Y.

-- Richard Johnston—He is town administrator/clerk at the town Clayton in Winnebago County. He has 20 years experience in local government management. He received a Master of Public Administration degree from UW-Oshkosh.

-- Jeff Kooistra—He most recently served as city administrator/clerk in Waukee, Iowa. He has 34 years experience in local government management. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Iowa.

-- Paul Moderacki—Village administrator at Mukwonago. He has 32 years experience in local government management. He received a Master of Science in Urban Affairs degree from UW-Milwaukee.

If you go

What: A public reception for the five Whitewater city manager finalists followed by a public forum with the five.

When and where: The reception is 4-5 p.m. today at the Whitewater Innovation Center, 1221 Innovation Drive, Whitewater. The forum is at 6:30 p.m. today in the Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room.

Details: The public can meet the candidates during the reception and submit questions to them during the forum.