Abee?s 2nd interview filled with activity

By LISA HOBBS

City administrator finalist Glenn Abee took some time out to tour McMinnville prior to his latest interview for the job. In a day and a half filled with appointments and meetings, he got a good look at the city, and though a bit exhausted from all the activities, Abee said he likes what he saw of McMinnville and really enjoyed his walk down Main Street.

?I walked downtown for a few minutes this morning,? said Abee. ?Everyone I walked passed said hi to me. That was kind of nice. I?ve had people ask me if I?ve lost my mind. No I haven?t. You have a very interesting community and I think you have some great things going.?

From 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Abee attended several meetings with department heads. Out of those, he was most impressed with the Water and Sewer Department. He was impressed with the statement from department director Carl Davis that the city is ready for expansion given the city?s current water capacity. Abee was given a personal tour of the newest water tank by Davis.

Abee was present for the Main Street phase II debate between Aldermen Patti Nunley and Bobby Kirby at the Finance Committee meeting Tuesday evening and referred to it as ?a healthy debate? and something that needs to take place sometimes.

He attended breakfast with Kirby and lunch with Nunley and Vice Mayor Donald Hillis on Wednesday. At 4:30 p.m. that evening, a Finance Committee meeting was held to provide one last chance for everyone to meet Abee.

During the meeting, Abee was asked if he believes McMinnville needs a city administrator. In his talks with department heads, he got the idea they would like someone to handle the day-to-day activities of the city and work closely with them and elected officials. Given that, he believes McMinnville does need one.

He also understands he would be coming into a small community and he understands that although he doesn?t have to have board approval before he dismisses a department head, he will still want it.

?I?m not so naive that if a department head has to be severely disciplined to that extent that I won?t have the support of the board before I do it,? said Abee. ?If I don?t have that support, maybe I need to explore another way of disciplining, or maybe you need to hear all the information.?

As for why he should get the job, Abee said, ?I believe in what I do. I believe I?m very good at it. I earn the respect from the people who work with me. I go out of my way to earn that respect.?

The second interview for Donald Whitman will be held Jan. 9-10. After that interview, elected officials will begin the investigative part of the process on one or both of the applicants.