Winfield's manager up for Ohio job

Winfield Village Manager William Barlow will interview today with officials in Middletown, Ohio, for a position as that city's newest manager.

Barlow is one of five finalists for the job in the town of 52,000 located 32 miles north of Cincinnati.

Barlow, who grew up in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, was first contacted over the summer by a person involved in the recruitment process.

Prior to his stint as village manager in Winfield, Barlow worked as city manager in Xenia, Ohio.

Half of his 26 years of public administration experience was spent working in Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows and as assistant village manager in Downers Grove.

Barlow was hired as Winfield's village manager in January 2006 following stalled contract talks with the previous manager, Gordon Cole.

Within a few short months of taking over the position, he weathered the exodus of several village employees and officials, including the finance director, police chief and clerk.

Among the biggest challenges during his tenure was trying to jumpstart long-sought plans to rebuild the village's town center.

While Barlow said he was interested in the prospects of moving closer to his hometown, he must weigh the decision against the needs of his family.

"My wife is the reason I'm in Winfield," Barlow said. "It's certainly an honor to be considered for the finalist position … but it really is going to have to be an awfully good deal for me to be able to convince her to move."