Committee continues search for new Canfield city manager

By Billy Ludt

bludt@vindy.com

CANFIELD

A search committee to find a candidate for city manager has started reviewing application materials for the position.

Committee member Bruce Neff said the committee is reviewing about 15 applications it has received after posting the city manager job description in early July.

“It’s a very important position, in my opinion, because in our form of city government, the city manager really has the power of the control and responsibility of the city,” Neff said.

The committee is made up of two council members, Mayor Bernie Kosar Sr., city council president Don Dragish Jr., and three community members, Neff, Michael Kubitza and Mark Buchenic. City council issued a call for citizens to help on the committee, and Neff, Kubitza and Buchenic answered.

“It’s a really interesting time that we’re in right now,” Neff said. “We’ve got a lot of national challenges, and it all starts with good local government. I think Canfield is concerned about that, and I hope that we can get the right person to help the community better itself.”

The application deadline for the position is Sept. 30.

After eight years in the position, current City Manager Joe Warino is retiring in December.

“We’re filling Joe’s position now, but we’re maybe looking for someone with more of a vision for the future,” Dragish said.

An ideal candidate, he said, will have experience in a managerial or leadership position in municipal government. The job posting on the city’s website states applicants should have at least a bachelor’s degree, with studies focused in the area of engineering, finance, public administration, city planning or similar fields.

“The person that steps up and tries to fill those moccasins better have big feet,” Kosar said. “[Warino] has made more contributions to the city of Canfield as far as roads and projects than anybody.”

Kosar said Warino’s efforts during his time as city manager helped the city secure grants for a range of projects.

“Joe Warino turns over rocks and finds money,” he said.

The committee was given 120 days beginning in July to find two candidates to bring before the council, but Kosar previously said they’re hoping to finish the selection well before their time is up. Council will make the final decision on who will be hired, and, Kosar said, the search committee is acting as a filter to narrow that selection down.

“We want feedback from the council and the public on who we select,” Kosar said.

By default, all application materials for city manager are public record.

“The process is very transparent,” Kosar said. “As it should be.”