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Familiar Names Seeking Post With Dade City

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By JO-ANN JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

Updated: 10/21/2007 09:33 pm

DADE CITY - Nineteen people have applied to be the next city manager, including one who rejected an offer for the job in June.

Richard Reade of Sanford had been the city commission's unanimous selection earlier this year to replace Harold Sample, who retired from the public sector to work for the Dade City Business Center.

Negotiations, however, broke down over pay and benefits, including retirement and a severance package that would have protected Reade if a new commission decided to discharge him after the 2008 municipal election. He withdrew.

The city's subsequent search - which happened to coincide with a public clash between Commissioner Camille Hernandez and Mayor Hutch Brock over previous commission actions - also ended with a finalist bowing out of the race.

Since then, the conflict on the commission appears to have settled down, and a recall campaign targeting Hernandez has been suspended.

For the third time, Dade City sought manager applicants. The advertised salary range is the same as before, between $75,000 and $95,000 annually to start. The deadline to apply was Friday.

Reade wrote in his new application letter that he regretted a 'miscommunication' that caused him to withdraw earlier and hoped the commission would reconsider him. Reade did not really explain the 'miscommunication on my part' but said he remains interested in Dade City.

Reade is working as a consultant to developers in the Orlando area. He has previous city manager experience in Davenport and Auburndale.

This round of applications includes a couple other familiar names:

•Frank Thomas III, city manager of Mulberry. An applicant in the first job search, he and four others made it to a first round of interviews with the commission. He didn't make the top two picks, and Reade ended up turning down the job. Thomas said he's still intrigued by the possibilities in Dade City.

•Heiskell Christmas, until recently a commissioner in neighboring San Antonio. In resigning his seat, Christmas said he expected a new computer programming job involving a longer commute would leave him with no time for commission work. In applying for the Dade City position, Christmas cited his local roots and his commission experience.

Most of the applicants are from Florida, but three are from other states: Ohio, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

One candidate from Florida has the same surname as Dade City's mayor, but it appears Matthew Brock, currently of Melbourne, is no relation to the mayor.

Matthew Brock was recently interim city manager in Chiefland, was city administrator in Live Oak and served in the Marine Corps and reserves, according to his resume.
Dade City commissioners will get their first chance to discuss the latest applicant pool at their 5:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday in their chambers at 14150 Fifth St. On Friday, city staffers made copies of all the applications so board members could review them before the meeting.

Reporter Jo-Ann Johnston can be reached at (352) 521-3062 or jfjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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