GR has new top executive
David Czurak

Sundstrom

By a 4-3 vote this morning, city commissioners chose Greg Sundstrom over Eric DeLong as the city's next manager.

"Greg has a little better style to deal with the entire community," said James Jendrasiak, 1st Ward city commissioner.

"I think Greg brings a little more of what we need to the team," said James White, 3rd Ward city commissioner.

"I have a slight preference for Greg. All I can say is, it's an incredibly tough decision," added David LaGrand, 2nd Ward city commissioner.

Second Ward City Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss joined the trio to give Sundstrom the slim margin he needed to replace the retired Kurt Kimball as the city's top executive.

Sundstrom first joined the city in 1986 as an administrative assistant in the streets and sanitation department and has served as the acting deputy city manager and chief services officer since Kimball left his post at the end of December.

DeLong, who was Kimball's assistant, has served as interim city manager for the past seven months.

After the three rounds of interviews held on Tuesday, Sundstrom was selected by a group made up of labor union president and city department heads as their top choice. A group comprised of community leaders chose DeLong as their favorite.

Benjamin Hughes, former city administrator of Racine, Wis., and Topeka City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr., were also interviewed for the post.

Following the initial vote, city commissioners unanimously selected Sundstrom in a second vote as a show of unity.