This morning at mass, I was saddened to learn that Gene Albaugh passed away last night. Gene was a great guy with whom I would often joke at Kinghts of Columbus meetings and Tea Party event about the Bears and the Packers. I am from Chicago and Gene was a "cheesehead." Kim is particularly fond of Gene having worked with him quite a bit through her job.
"When he was hired as interim city manager in 2007, Gene Albaugh was in semi-retirement with no interest in having the 'interim' tag removed.
"His tongue-in-cheek explanation for the change in plans: 'It was the result of a con job by one of our council members who asked me, 'Have you ever thought about working here for 4-5 years?' That got me thinking about staying on if it was the council’s pleasure.'"
"In early 2008, the city council named Gene full-time city manager and next month he will turn over the keys to Dave Brennan the former Sebastopol city manager who agreed to take the Nevada City position for approximately $50,000, the same salary range Albaugh worked under the past couple years."
The rest of the article is here.
Gene was my friend too. It is a sad day.
ReplyDeleteGene was a specialist at "lightening rod" jobs. He served the town of Plymouth as Interim City Manager, and was the first professional City Manager, ever. It was impossible to be popular - it just does not work that way. An "outsider". But he was a pro and knew what to expect and how to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteHow many of us are willing to put ourselves in that position (and drive close to 4 hours a day for the privilege)?
Gene did it and enjoyed it because he knew that few had his tool box and his personal abilities, and the community deeply needed a broom and structure.
When he left, he also left behind a Rotary Club in Plymouth that is just bustling. The seeds just from that Rotary club will bloom for years and years in our community. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Gene was a clever Rascal! Deeply missed. Highly respected. A wonderful example.
Rick Sanders