Four to Interview for Dewey Beach Town Manager

By Rob Kunzig | Staff

Interviews Set; Panel Set To Make Recommendation

For more than a month, a search committee has been combing through more than 80 resumes submitted for the position of Dewey Beach town manager. It recently narrowed the field to four candidates, who will be interviewed Sunday, Nov. 29.

The committee will then nominate candidates to the commissioners.

“We really aren’t expecting to give a definite number,” said Chairwoman Betty Laird. “We might recommend all four.”

Dewey code prevents town officials from disclosing the candidates’ identities. Laird said two prospects are locals, while two are from other states.
She said the committee will automatically recommend Town Manager Gordon Elliott for the job.

Dewey commissioners decided not to renew Elliott’s 5-year contract when it expires Thursday, Dec. 10. Amid some controversy and public outcry, town commissioners instead created a search committee.

By early October, scores of hopefuls had responded to ads posted in national newspapers and on job websites, including Elliott.

“There were some who were just ruled out for having no experience,” Laird said. Commissioners gave the committee a list of criteria on which to evaluate candidates. Applicants must have a minimum of five years’ experience in municipal government, with two years in a supervisory position. While a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree is required, extra experience can be substituted in lieu of a degree.

In early November, the committee culled 15 applicants for phone interviews. The committee splintered into three groups, with each interviewing five candidates. Laird said experience in municipal government was the key qualification committee members looked for. The four candidates chosen for a second interview were selected by unanimous vote, Laird said.

Though Dewey Beach may be without a town manager on Dec. 10, Laird said she won’t rush the vetting process. “I don’t know if we’ll make Dec. 10,” she said. “But we meet this Sunday, and we hope to be able to then recommend candidates.”

Commissioner Marty Seitz said the town will not prefer local over out-of-state applicants. In the event that commissioners do not select a town manager before Elliott’s contract expires, Seitz said Dewey would hire a temporary replacement.

“Almost inevitably, we will assign an interim town manager,” Seitz said, adding that the term of employment would be no more than 90 days.
Seitz said he hadn’t considered extending Elliott’s employment to cover the interim period, but it isn’t out of the question.

”I’d be open to suggestions,” he said.