Six under consideration for top City Hall job

LAKEWOOD – Six finalists remain in the hunt to replace controversial City Manager Mike Rock, who has announced he is retiring in September.

Of the half-dozen candidates, three are current city employees, two have experience as city managers and one is a former shopping mall development firm executive.

The three in-house candidates are Kathy Hodgson, Lakewood’s Community Development director; Larry Dorr, the city’s finance director and treasurer; and Jay Hutchison, who recently replaced former Public Works director Dick Plastino.

Also among the six finalists are Lafayette City Administrator Gary Klaphake and former Tucson City Manager Mike Hein.

The other candidate is Elizabeth Link, former director of development for Mills Corp., which developed Colorado Mills shopping mall in Lakewood.

A selection committee headed by Mayor Bob Murphy chose the finalists from more than 100 applicants. The other committee members are City Council members Tom Quinn, Karen Kellen and former Councilman Mike Stevens.

None of the candidates addressed the myriad of issues facing the city or offered any firm plans for Lakewood in statements released by City Hall.

Dorr, who was the city’s financial analyst for three years before becoming finance director, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration.

“As city manager, I want to see the community build on its heritage and adapt for the future. In its 40-year history, Lakewood has withstood difficult economic times. Together, we will do it again,” Dorr said.

Hodgson, who has worked for the city for 29 years, began as a lifeguard and rose through the ranks in several City Hall management positions. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in public administration.

“It has been a privilege spending my career in an organization known for its innovation, integrity and responsiveness to the community, Lakewood’s future is dynamic and filled with great opportunity,” Hodgson said.

Hutchison, who has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, is a 26-year city employee, has been responsible for traffic and other engineering work, building permits and inspections, planning, street maintenance and fleet management.

“Lakewood is a wonderful, multi-faceted city. I look forward to continuing to serve the community’s residents and businesses,” Hutchison said.

Klaphake has been Lafayette’s city administrator for 11 years. He previously was city administrator in Estes Park and several communities in Iowa and Minnesota. Klaphake has a bachelor’s degree in urban affairs and a master’s degree organizational management.

“My experience in Colorado exhibits strategic planning, stewardship of resources, success in economic development while building an inclusive community,” Klaphake said, borrowing from the city’s latest slogan.

Hein, who was fired as Tucson’s city manager earlier this year, has worked for several Arizona communities as town manager, planning and zoning director and finance director. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration.

Although Tucson’s City Council disclosed no reason for firing Hein, he had been under fire because of costly problems in the city’s downtown redevelopment project dubbed “Rio Nuevo.”

In his statement, Hein had warm words for Lakewood.

“At every step, I’ve been greeted by very professional and very enthusiastic individuals committed to the community. I look forward to the dialogue with the City of Lakewood,” Hein said.

Link, who recently has served as a consultant for the enormous Katy Mills mega-mall, has 14 years experience with private companies and was Mills’ senior vice president for predevelopment and senior development director. She has a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

She arranged more than $200 million in public funding for Mills Corp. developments in her eight years with the company.

The Katy (Texas) Mills Mall, which one Houston newspaper refers to as “the mall that ate Katy,” required extensive negotiations to secure agreements with four jurisdictions and adjusting city boundaries during the process.

“I believe in strong neighborhood involvement and that municipal government has the greatest impact on the quality of life for citizens,” Link said. “Regarding the future, the completion of FasTracks as well as the opportunities in the Rooney Valley provide Lakewood with tremendous potential for a sustainable, healthy community,” Link said.

Each of the finalists will interview with an employee, City Hall’s management team and City Council.

The final choice will be left to City Council.