Three Finalists Named for Worcester City Manager

Thursday, August 28, 2014

GoLocalWorcester News Team

The search for a new city manager for Worcester is officially down to three candidates: Peter Gracykowski, David Moore, and Oscar Rodriguez.

Moore is the only local candidate, serving as the current City Solicitor in Worcester, working for the city since 1982.

Graczykowski is the only candidate with city manager experience, serving as the City Manager of East Providence from 2011 to 2013. Currently, he works as an executive consultant for Guidepoint Global Advisors in New York.

Rodriguez represents the only minority candidate interviewed for the city manager position, most recently serving as Town Manager of Taos, New Mexico from 2012 to March 2014.

The Municipal Operations Committee – which consists of City Councilors Philip Palmieri, Tony Economou, and George Russell, and Mayor Joseph Petty - interviewed five finalists on Monday, narrowing the search down to three candidates.

These three candidates will be interviewed in an open session by the City Council on September 11th. Additionally, there will be a community day on September 10th, where the finalists have an opportunity to meet with business leaders, department heads, and labor leaders at City Hall in the morning, followed by a tour of the city in the afternoon. The day will end with a public meet and greet from 5-7pm in the Levi Lincoln room at City Hall.

Related Slideshow: 9 Challenges Facing Worcester’s New City Manager

Now the Edward Augustus is serving as City Manager for Worcester, GoLocal reached out to the city's leaders to find out what they believe are the biggest challenges Augustus will face in his new role.

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Keep Forward Momentum

Paul Giorgio, publisher of Pagio, Inc. and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™:

“Priority One: Keep up the momentum.

Two: Work with the mayor on creating a task force for the north end of Main Street.

Three: Insure that we keep our school renovation plan on track.”

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Economic Development

Councilor Anthony Economou:

“Economic development is huge. We have a lot going on, and we have to keep the momentum up,” Economou said. “Make sure we don't miss a beat. You don't want to lose a period of nine months and not have forward progress.”

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Financial Management

Roberta Schaefer, former president of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau:

Schaefer said continuing the sound financial management of former City Manager Michael O'Brien was the greatest task for Augustus. But in addition to financial questions, she called for Augustus to “follow the lead of Michael O'Brien, to make sure he represents all the interests of the city, as the CEO of the city.

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Business Climate

Tim Murray, president and chief executive officer of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce:

In addition to budgeting and economic development, Murray pointed to fostering the business climate in the city. “Try to make Worcester as business-friendly a place as possible,” he said. Whether through permitting, customer service, or other incentive, “whatever we can do to make the city a supportive (place for business).”

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Budget Concerns

Christopher Pinto, member of the Worcester Republican City Committee:

“Can he really do pension reform? Can he spare the taxpayers from more abusive taxes?” asked Pinto, who wonders what Augustus will do about the Responsible Employer Ordinance and how the new city manager will make appointments to boards and commissions.

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Capital Improvements

Councilor Frederick Rushton:

Rushton said the number one challenge Augustus will face is following through toward new buildings and/or renovations to area high schools in need of capital improvements.

"Second," he said, “is completing CitySquare.”

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Public Safety

Councilor Sarai Rivera:

Rivera points to economic development, neighborhood development, and continuing to support public safety and public service, as well as “working with private and labor to support the (Responsible Employer Ordinance) and look into an apprentice program.”

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Neighborhood Development

Councilor George Russell:

“It's not necessarily 'A, B, and C,' it's more what you want to see overall,” Russell said. “For me, it's more neighborhood orientation.”

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Collective Bargaining

Councilor Anthony Economou:

Economou also cited the upcoming task of collective bargaining with union city workers. “One of the challenges will be the contracts,” Economou said. “I imagine it's on his radar, to get those discussions going.”