The search for a replacement for Camp Verde Marshal Nancy Gardner, who left the post in March, has had some issues. Randy Foster, the previous choice for the position, had to back out in June due to family commitments.
According to Town Manager Russ Martin, who is conducting the search, the second round of recruitment is proceeding apace.
“I’m hoping to have someone on in October, and hopefully that’s something that we can do with the process I’ve laid out,” Martin said.
As of now, Martin has narrowed the group of candidates to seven. He said he hopes to have a group of three or four finalists to interview Sept. 7.
While Martin said he hopes anyone under serious consideration will have a chance to visit Camp Verde to meet with town residents before starting the job, Martin intends to add preliminary interviews for finalists via phone or Skype before bringing them to town, in the hopes of making things easier for candidates who are far away.
Cmdr. Brian Armstrong, who has been serving as acting marshal since Gardner’s exit, is not under consideration for the full-time marshal position in this second go-around. He was a finalist in the first search process, but withdrew his name from consideration because of concerns that as a Village of Oak Creek resident, he does not meet the town’s residency requirement for marshal candidates.
“I didn’t think it was fair to ask for a waiver, when other people who applied saw it on the job announcement that you needed to live there,” Armstrong said.
Martin has expressed his feelings that despite the delays, the town should be able to find a quality candidate soon, and asks for patience from Camp Verde’s residents to ensure a good choice is found.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
