Red Bank city commissioners today interviewed finalists for the city manager job that's been open for more than a year.
The two candidates were described as "outstanding".
There were actually 5 finalists for the Red Bank job, but three dropped out, reportedly for personal reasons, before they could be interviewed.
JOHN ROBERTS "It really helped us out quite a bit because it helped us winnow down the list."
The two remaining candidates arrived for hour-long interviews---the first being Charles Beal, who has been city manager and controller of McKenzie Tennessee for 9 years.
CHARLES BEAL, MCKENZIE, TN. "I am not a micro-manager.if that's what you're looking for you probably don't won't me."
City commissioners Kenneth Welch, Floy Pierce, Ruth Jeno joined Mayor Monty Millard and vice-mayor Roberts in interviewing the candidate.
MAYOR MONTY MILLARD "Describe your approach to managing people."
CHARLES BEAL, MCKENZIE CITY MANAGER " I believe in delegating authority, I'm a leader with management skills."
Next up was Randall Smith, a native of Lynchburg who runs a company that specializes in building government partnerships.
RANDALL SMITH, CANDIDATE "I think I have the skills, knowledge and ability to lead a city, that's always been my dream"
The commissioners stressed that the job won't be easy since Red Bank is a land-locked community 6 miles long and a mile wide. They were especially interested in how the candidates would lead the 75 city employees.
Six year veteran Chris Dorsey was fired from the job in 2011.
MONTY MILLARD " We wanted to get through this year's budget..which is about a 3-4 month process. We ended that in July ...So now we're ready to move on with the final search for our city manager."
A meeting to discuss which candidate may prevail will be held next Tuesday at city hall.
The mayor says even he was surprised last year when three commissioners voted to fire Dorsey for, quote, "not being a leader."
Dorsey now holds a similar job in Florida.
