Meet the Candidates

The City is in the midst of the search for a new city administrator.  We have narrowed the field to 5 excellent candidates and they will be interviewed the weekend of February 17 & 18.  On Friday night there will be a social hour at Max’s for the public to meet the candidates.  The tentative time is 6:00 but the final schedule is not completed so if may vary by half hour or so.  The public is invited to meet the candidates at this event so mark your calendars for Friday, February 17^th at Max’s.   All the candidates are excellent and come with very high credentials; it will be very enjoyable to meet these outstanding people.

Blandin Leadership Week

As you are reading this column I along with 23 other members of the Olivia, Danube, Renville and Sacred Heart Communities will be at the Blandin Community Leadership Program in Grand Rapids Minnesota.  We will be working and studying to become better community listeners, workers and leaders.  The challenges our rural communities face are great but with great challenges come great opportunities and this week will prepare us for meeting them with the positive resources that our communities possess.  I believe very strongly in the people of Olivia and this leadership program will give me additional tools to promote growth and challenges the future will bring. 

League of Minnesota Cities Conference

Last weekend I attended a League of Minnesota Conference in the Twin Cities.  It was for Experienced Elected Officials and the program topic was Shared Leadership during Challenging Times.  There were close to 200 people attending from all over Minnesota from all different size cities.  As we met in small groups and visited at breaks and meals it was clear that no matter what the size of the city the issues are remarkably similar.  All cities have to provide more services with less money, do more with less.  All cities have land use issues.  All cities have challenges engaging residents in issues and inviting citizens to participating in boards, commissions and other volunteer activities in their communities.  All cities have to be aware to not let civic policy be determined by the most vocal but smallest majority of the populace.  We as elected officials have the responsibility to provide for all the citizens and sustain the quality of life that we have come to expect in our community. 

This was a most insightful workshop as the city starts on the process of selecting a new city administrator.  The Council will be reviewing the screened applications this week.  We are scheduled to interview 5-6 candidates in mid-February.  There were 70 applicants for this position.