Marathon interim city manager Steve Williams appears to be the last man standing to fill the role long-term after the other two finalists for the job withdrew this past week.
Following a charged debate at the city council’s July 28 special session, an applicant pool of 69 was whittled to just two: City Clerk Diane Clavier and St. Lucie deputy county administrator Mayte Santamaria.
While he hadn’t yet applied for the position – and previously told the council he didn’t want the job – several council members, led by Vice Mayor Debbie Struyf, urged Williams to reconsider, praising his performance since taking over for former City Manager George Garrett in January.
Although Williams declined to comment that night in an effort to not affect the council’s hiring decisions, the council invited him to join Clavier and Santamaria in a second round of interviews.
By the following Wednesday, the city had its answer: withdrawals from Santamaria and Clavier, and a “yes” from Williams, according to email records obtained by the Weekly.
“I have a high regard and heartfelt connection to the city of Marathon and I truly appreciate the time, consideration and opportunity to learn more about the city,” wrote Santamaria in an Aug. 3 email to HR Director Evie Engelmeyer.
“I still believe you did have excellent candidates that … deserved the position as much as anyone else, if not more so,” said Williams in an email to Engelmeyer and the council the same day confirming his interest.
“When you asked me to take on the manager position on an interim basis, I had no intention, and I mean zero, on ever staying on in the position full time,” he said. “It is with some surprise that you have approved of my temporary tenure as strongly as you have, and I thank you all greatly for the opportunity.”
Two days later, Clavier also withdrew via email, recommending Williams for the job.
“Steve has done an outstanding job as Interim City Manager and consistently demonstrates strong leadership,sound judgment and I believe he is an excellent fit for the permanent position,” she wrote in an email to Engelmeyer and council members.
Speaking to the Weekly via text on Aug. 4, Struyf said she was “thrilled” with Williams’ decision.
“He’s been interviewing for four and a half months,” she said. “I’m thrilled with the progress we’re making and all the forward movement.”
The council is set to discuss the city manager position at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Williams told the Weekly he was unaware of any additional interviews scheduled before that meeting.
