It's a double-edged sword. Do you replace Sheiffer with someone who's nicely groomed for the job or do you go nationwide to avoid any in-house problems?

A big part of what burdens the citizens of Janesville including the administration and the city council is the destructive, corrosive effects of the malignant Briarmoon element.

Winzenz played a large part in doing away with the Briarmoon shack problem. That's in his favor. At this point being in-house doesn't work against him.

Westy- I, too, am an "insider" at the City. I couldn't DISAGREE with you more about your opinions and observations. sfcm - great comments; I couldn't agree more. In my opinion, Janesville is a great city and very attractive for City Managers across the nation. Aside from the State's budget woes which may deter applicants, I think we'll see many highly qualified people (that are head and shoulders above internal folks) apply for the job.

I think Sheiffer did the new City Manager a disservice by appointing Winzenz the Admin Services director. He has set the new manager up by having Winzenz in this position. The new city manager will feel obligated to make Winzenz the 'second in command' or take serious heat from residents and council if the new city manager chooses to create and hire an Assistant City Manager and make Winzenz a department head.

To me, this looks like a lame-duck City Manager putting his disciple in place before he retires. We will have a new City Manager in six months. Why not let the new person pick his/her own senior staff people? I see nothing wrong with naming Mr. Winzenz "Interim" Director of Administrative Services, but making it permanent is a disservice to whomever comes in.

This is not the successor to Steve Sheiffer, but to Herb Stinski. The city manager search will still take place. I'm not sure I discern the value in a nationwide search for a DAA position if the manager and council agree that an internal promotion is sufficient.
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(There's nothing dumber than a flamewar about a misunderstanding.)

Let me get this straight: The city conducted a nationwide search to hire a new police chief, hiring someone from Bakersfield, Calif., but many of those responding to these postings feel we should just settle for the current administrator's hand-picked successor to save a few tax dollars on a search? Didn't Steve Sheiffer come here from out east - the product of a nationwide search? Why would we not conduct a nationwide search to find someone with experience managing a city this size? I've got to believe there is someone out there who has done more than head the local housing authority that might be interested in the Janesville job. For my tax dollars, I'd rather have somebody who is a proven commodity. Not just some guy who's been biding his time for the past 20 years. Too much inside baseball here for me.

Mr.Jay Winzenz is qualified for this position, and would also be a good candidate for City Manager. I used to work for the City and I worked under Mr. Winzenz for years, I know that along with his education and experience, he brings a breath of fresh air to City hall. He is a diligent hard working man, who has a passion for Janesville and a respect for people. He also has wisdom and understanding of many of the complex issues facing the City of Janesville and is truly commited to making this a better place to live for all of us.

I should have started out my last comment with "I believe that..."

It is in Janesville's best interest at this point for the city council to be sure that they coordinate an open and fair hiring process that will include all interested and qualified applicants. Perhaps Winzenz isn't even interested in the top position? I feel that he should have to apply for the position and go through the hiring process with the rest of the applicants when it comes time to begin the process.

I think it's critical for the city to hire from outside the organization. New ideas are paramount for this community. Let the good old boys club continue.

Just what the city needs, Sheiffer II

Remember he is retiring Sept. 2nd

Hey city council maybe take A look from within here if this guy is trained to be A city manager in A large city then maybe, just maybe he could be Sheiffers replacement and we dont't have to waste money hiring an outside firm to find his replacement! Just A thought, HMMMMMMMMM