RIDGEFIELD MAYOR RON ONSLOW watches as Steve Stuart signs his contract as Ridgefield’s new city manager March 14. Stuart, a longtime Clark County Commissioner, was chosen from 25 applicants and will begin the job Monday, April 14. Photo by Steve Kadel
A Clark County political veteran has been chosen as Ridgefield’s new city manager.
Ridgefield City Council members unanimously selected Ridgefield native Steve Stuart for the post on March 13. A 10-year member of the Clark County Board of Commissioners, Stuart will begin the job Mon., April 14, with a salary of $110,000.
“We are enthusiastic because of his qualifications,” Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow said, adding that council members were impressed with a 90-day plan Stuart already has devised for his first days at the city’s helm.
Stuart said during an interview after the council’s vote that his plan includes studying “fundamental documents to set the stage for work to be done.” He also intends to build on his network of relationships with government officials by forging even more connections that will be valuable for Ridgefield.
Stuart said he won’t make major changes in the city’s direction.
“They have a great foundation for success in this town,” he said. “My role will be to continue that.”
Stuart replaces Phil Messina, who resigned in November 2013 for personal reasons. Lee Knottnerus, Ridgefield city clerk and administrative services director, will continue as interim city manager until Stuart begins the job.
Stuart, 42, is a graduate of Linfield College and the University of Oregon Law School. He was one of two finalists for the city manager post. Vancouver Assistant Police Chief Chris Sutter also was in the running Thursday night, but council members picked Stuart after a 50-minute executive session. Port of Woodland Executive Director Nelson Holmberg had been a third finalist, but withdrew his application after taking a job in private business in Vancouver.
Council members had considerable praise for Stuart after they emerged from the private session and quickly took a vote. He was the choice from an original field of 25 applicants.
“Stuart brings us lots of experience,” Onslow said. “We know he has a strong personality, but that’s OK.”
“He’s a local individual and has knowledge of local issues,” said council member Lee Wells.
Council member Sandra Day said she believes Stuart will “make this city move forward ... in a manner without reproach.”
Council member Darren Wertz added that the new city manager “has exceptional planning abilities.”
A local resident, Maria Rodriguez-Salazar, spoke against hiring Stuart during part of the meeting that allowed public input. She said he would be overly political in the position.
"It’s not a fit for our community,” she said. “It’s the political part that I don’t want our community to be part of. I’m concerned our community is going to become a carnival.”
However, council member John Main later called Stuart’s selection a “bold decision, but one that is best for the city. We are a small city and don’t have time to separate on political lines.”
