June 29, 2007

Standing ovation for retiring city manager, senior staffers

City Council members and those in the audience for the final council meeting of the fiscal year held June 26, gave a standing ovation to retiring City Manager Les White, Budget Director Larry Lisenbee and Deputy City Manager Kay Winer as Mayor Chuck Reed handed them commendations for their service. The three are retiring, although Winer has been asked to stay for a few months while new City Manager Debra Figone gets settled. Winer has been with the city for 10 years; Lisenbee for 21. White, who was San Jose’s city manager from 1989 to 1995 when he “retired,” took over the job in an interim capacity in January 2006 replacing Del Borgsdorf. He had prepared a “short speech” describing his career in three decades, four mayors and administrations during which time the city accomplished a lot. He thanked city hall employees for touching his life and doing well in the work and the mayor and city council for their dedication and service to the city. He suggested senior staff “stay tough and stand up to the city council. “It was great coming back a second time,” he concluded.