Victoria MN Newspaper-The Scoop at City Hall

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INTERIM CITY MANAGER FOR VICTORIA

ED SHUKLE HIRED FOR MAXIMUM SIX MONTHS

Council voted unanimously on July 14th to hire Ed Shukle of Mound as Interim City Manager for the City of Victoria, for a maximum of six months. He started Monday morning, July 15th, at 8 o'clock.

Don Uram resigned his position as Victoria City Manager last month, effective July 18th. Don had been with Victoria for 6 and 1/2 years.

Asked Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "Does an interim manager have full authority?"

Replied Councilmember Jim Crowley, "He serves at the pleasure of the council."

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At a workshop earlier that evening of July 14th, Mayor Tom O'Connor explained how Ed Shukle came to be a candidate for city manager. "We took a list of names from the League of Minnesota Cities to the Chaska City Manager and the Chanhassen City Manager and they both pointed to Ed Shukle. Don [Victoria City Manager Don Uram] and I interviewed candidates and agreed on Ed as Interim City Manager.

Ed Shukle, also present at the workshop, was asked to introduce himself. He said he's been in public administration for 37 years, beginning as an intern for the City of Roseville, then assistant manager for Brooklyn Park. He was city manager for the next 5.5 years for the City of Benson. He was city manager for Mound for 13 years, then worked for Anoka County for a couple years. He was city administrator for Farmington for a couple years, helped out at Excelsior and Elko New Market, and most recently worked eight years as city manager for the City of Jordan.

"I'm still interested in local government," said Mr. Shukle. "Don called me and asked if I'd be interested in the interim manager at Victoria and I said absolutely."

Mayor Tom O'Connor informed Mr. Shukle that Victoria is in the midst of two very significant construction projects, the new City Hall-Library and the new Public Works facility.

Said Mr. Shukle, "I've had a lot of experience. I was deeply involved in constructing public buildings in Mound, in Farmington, and in Jordan. I've enjoyed working with construction managers and engineers and architects."

Asked Councilmember Tom Strigel, "Are you interested on a permanent basis?"

"Absolutely," replied Mr. Shukle, "if I have a good relationship with the council and staff."

Asked Councilmember Jim Crowley, "What would past councils and staff say about your relationship with them?"

Replied Mr. Shukle, "Councils would say I'm always available. Staff would say that I delegate authority and guide them along but I don't like to micromanage them. I'm at the top of the food chain and ultimately accountable. I see council and staff as a team together. Council sets the policy and staff follows through. We have to live by the policy of the council."

Asked Councilmember Crowley, "What is appealing to you about Victoria?"

Replied Mr. Shukle, "You have a lot going on here. Your public buildings interest me. Public service has been my career. Personally, Victoria is close to home, only 15 minutes away."

What are his outside interests?

Replied Mr. Shukle, "My wife would tell me I play too much golf. I just got a hole-in-one at Dahlgreen. I love NFL football. I play tennis and go running and walking."

Asked Councilmember Strigel, "What do you see as the greatest challenges in Victoria?"

Replied Mr. Shukle, "Your new City Hall and Public Works projects. Also, you could use more commercial."

Asked Mayor O'Connor, "Have you got a weak spot?"

Replied Mr. Shukle, "I expect too much from myself. I do volunteering for St. Francis at Shakopee. I'm in the Rotary Club there. I have a tendency to not say no."

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