New City Manager

[SteelTown]

Race for city's top job down to two

December 08, 2008
By Nicole MacIntyre

HAMILTON - City council will debate today who should be Hamilton's top bureaucrat.

The city has been looking for a new city manager since Glen Peace announced he was leaving last spring.

Peace left June 30.

More than 70 people applied for the job.

Sources say council will decide today between two internal candidates, Scott Stewart, general manager of public works and Chris Murray, director of housing and former head of the Red Hill Valley Expressway project.

A third finalist, an external candidate from a neighbouring municipality, withdrew last week.

A subcommittee of council, including the mayor and four councillors, interviewed the candidates and will present their recommendation to council today.

The debate will be in camera, but many councillors are predicting a tight vote.

The final decision will be made at Wednesday night's council meeting.

Joe Rinaldo, head of finance, has been acting city manager.