Is new manager under Wood Dale's nose?

With fixture Frank Williams' days numbered through the spring, Wood Dale officials are left with the task of replacing the former police chief who took over the city manager's position in 2005.

The city hired its former 30-year police chief to a three-year contract in 2005 to bring some stability to the position. That contract expires on Jan. 21 and was recently extended through May, leaving alderman to find his replacement before then.

Some of them have differing opinions as to how far they should be looking to find the new city manager.

After hearing presentations in recent weeks from two national search firms, aldermen late Thursday failed to select one to recommend to the formal city council last week.

A vote to hire Chicago-based The PAR Group to begin searching, at a rate not to exceed $21,000, failed on a 4-4 vote.

Mayor Ken Johnson said he expects to break that tie Thursday in favor of hiring the firm. He said the council has a responsibility to "see what's out there and get the best manager for our city."

Several aldermen, in a move Johnson conceded was awkward and unplanned, spoke out Thursday against a waste of money by hiring a search firm. Instead they suggested promoting three-year assistant city manager Jeff Mermuys to the top administrative position.

"We have a candidate right here that initially we brought in and set up just for this particular purpose," Second Ward Alderman Ed Kneip said prior to the vote. "Mr. Mermuys, I believe, is qualified. I give him my support and I think we could save the city a lot of money.

"If we bring in someone else, it's going to take them at least six months to acclimate themselves to the city business and here you have a candidate who's been working in the city for years and knows what our goals are."

First Ward Alderman Joe Kolz and John Kadala, of the second ward, agreed.

"I believe Jeff can do it, too, and we should give him a chance before we decide to do anything," Kolz said. "I believe that he will stay with the city and he's young enough to do it and he'll do a good job."

Kadala added he would like to see (Mermuys) in the position as well.

An awkward chuckle broke out in the chambers when First Ward Alderman Nunzio Pulice questioned whether Mermuys even wanted the position.

Mermuys declined to comment on the unusual show of support or whether he would want the position. Williams said he was happy to see his protégé be recognized publicly for his work and dedication.

Johnson, however, said the city would be hiring The PAR Group, and Mermuys would be "heavily encouraged to apply."

"Jeff has the inside track on this city, and everyone here respects job he's done," Johnson said.

Alderman Sam Lewitan, of the fourth ward agreed the city would be best served by looking, even if they ended up searching for an assistant manager.

"If we hire Jeff, that still leaves a vacancy for an assistant so we're still going to have to look," he said. "So I can't see where not looking would be in our best interest."

In the coming year, Johnson said the city may be better served seeking a short-term manager who would be able to manage the economic benefits he believes will come from the anticipated major hotels and convention centers along the Thorndale Avenue corridor.

"That's only short-term, though," Johnson said. "As long as (Mermuys) is willing to stay, I believe his future is in Wood Dale."