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City manager finalists share their views about vacant job

Posted at 5:32 PM, Apr 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-15 18:37:29-04

The search for a new Corpus Christi city Manager is moving forward.

Four remaining finalists are in town, and were interviewed Monday by Mayor Joe McComb and the Corpus Christi City Council.

The public was invited to attend a meet and greet event to ask the candidates questions and address their concerns with the city.

The four remaining candidates come from all over the country, and this meeting was their first real introduction to the community.

KRIS 6 News reporter Emily Hamilton spoke with all four candidates and asked them why they feel they are the best one for the job, what attracted them to Corpus Christi, as well as their philosophy on the relationship between a city manager, mayor and city council.

Harry Black, former Cincinnati City Manager, said his experience in a large city will help maximize growth here.

“Corpus Christi is a city that’s on the move,” Black said. “I see great potential here in terms of growth and development, and I would like to be a part of helping to make that happen and working with the Mayor and the Council to optimize the city’s full potential.”

Lee Feldman, former Fort Lauderdale City Manager, said he’s comfortable handling natural disasters.

“To me this is a natural fit,” Feldman said. “I come from a hurricane-prone community, and I know hurricanes are very important to Corpus Christi as well.”

Keith Selman, current interim Corpus Christi City Manager, said his familiarity with the city’s current government structure provides him with a tangible benefit.

“Having a relationship with the council members and knowing what their desires are for the community, and having some insight as to what the desires are for the community as well,” Selman said. “The community has desires within itself, the population. That’s something that you can only get with time.”

And, Peter Zanoni, San Antonio Deputy City Manager, said his close proximity and time spent in South Texas makes him the best candidate for the job.

“I’m from the area and I think that’s critical,” Zanoni said. “I know the Coastal Bend for two reasons. For one, I work just two hours from here. For the past 22 years, I have worked in San Antonio, Texas. my family and I bought some property in Sinton just 30 minutes from Corpus Christi over a dozen years ago.”

Monday’s public meet and greet event took place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Bank Center.