By:KEITH GRANT
Ed Eaton was set for a return to City Hall Wednesday, a day after Bruce Nyman officially ended weeks of speculation and stepped down as Long Beach City Manager. Nyman is taking a post as head of governmental affairs at Nassau University Medical Center after two-plus years as the top dog in Long Beach.
Nyman's resignation was accepted at the Tuesday night meeting of the City Council. Officials announced a special meeting to appoint a replacement at 5 p.m. Wednesday, which was after deadline for this paper. Council members refused to divulge information on the appointment in advance of that meeting, but after several sources identified former city manager Eaton as the man in line, city director of operations Gene Cammarato confirmed the news.
"That's accurate," Cammarato said, "and I believe the City Council made a good choice."
Eaton did not return phone calls from the Herald in time for this edition. Published reports had identified Police Commissioner Ken Cohen as the new city boss, and speculation also included Cohen's heir-apparent, Assistant Commissioner John Laffy.
One anonymous city official said the selection of Eaton was "for the sake of stability and progress, and eliminates any political issues in the transition. It allows the city to keep moving forward."
Though the city charter does not allow for an acting or interim city manager, Eaton takes the job with the understanding that a search for a permanent manager will be conducted. An appointment will not be made, though, until a new Council is seated next January. Sources also said that Eaton, due to his pension from the city, will not be collecting a full salary for the position.
Also leaving the city manager's office is executive assistant Christine Hirschfeld, who was fired Wednesday morning. She said she intends to run her own business writing grants and raising funds for not-for-profit organizations via the internet.
Meanwhile, Eaton returns to the post he held for 20 years before retiring in 1998, when he announced it was "time to move on, to make room for new ideas and new people."
A pair of GOP candidates for City Council did not see much new about the selection of Eaton. Jim Hennessey called the move "business as usual" at City Hall, suggesting that Cammarato-who is also the local Democratic Party leader-is the real power within the administration.
"I'm not real surprised by it," he said. "It only makes sense that [Cammarato] would pick someone who's already been there. What you have to ask is what's really changed?"
Republican contender Mona Goodman added, "The more things change, the more they stay the same. The issue is not Bruce Nyman or Ed Eaton, it's that Gene Cammarato is still calling the shots."
As director of operations, Cammarato is the number-two man in the city government. He would officially run the city in the absence of a city manager, but he said he is not interested in permanently assuming the city manager's duties.
"No, I have no interest in it," he said. "I would like to, when the time comes, retire as director of operations."
Roughly two-thirds of the way through his three-year contract, Nyman now leaves the city to immediately begin his duties at Nassau University Medical Center. The former Democratic Minority leader in the county legislature will serve as legal counsel, working on governmental and legislative affairs. While in the legislature, Nyman helped jump-start the 1997 legislation that ultimately created the new Public Benefit Corporation.
"Having been involved in the creation of the new Medical Center, I feel a special committment to its ultimate success," he said. "They've had no one doing legislative affairs there. It's a perfect fit for me."
His departure, he said, was simply a matter of timing.
"The city is on an upswing," he said. "The timing just seemed right."
Nyman added, "I had no intention of being a lifer" as city manager. "I only had a three-year contract." The departing boss refused to lob any criticism at city leaders, saying only "there are disappointments in every job. Whatever disappointments are for me to live with, not to burden the community."
He added, "Some day I'll write a book." Possible critics were also tight-lipped. When word of Nyman's impending departure became public, Council Vice President Barbara Mosca would only say, "I wish Bruce well in his role at Nassau University Medical Center."
Nyman's final meeting was not without controversy, however, as several residents were angered by the council's decision to cancel the "Good and Welfare" portion of the meeting in order to allow Nyman a farewell address. Usually held at the end of the first Council meeting of each month, Good and Welfare allows citizens to voice concerns or questions on any city matter.
"This is totally outrageous," resident Sarah Nicholas told the Council. "Allowing Bruce to talk is no reason to remove Good and Welfare. Why not let Bruce speak at the special meeting [Wednesday]?"
Frank McQuade added, "The context of Bruce's remarks have nothing to do with Good and Welfare. It was wrong to cancel it. That's why a lot of people came here tonight."
Mosca responded that she felt it was important to have a sitting city manager present to address the type of concerns that typically come up at Good and Welfare, an explanation that didn't fly with some residents.
In his two-minute address to the public, Nyman pointed to several accomplishments he was proud of, including the role he played securing $11 million in state money for the planned downtown parking garage and the purchase of the Jewish War Veterans building as a future teen center.
Council president Joel Crystal noted that Nyman excelled at negotiating one-on-one for the city, particularly in regards to the Superblock development and the revised movie theatre plan, which was downsized from a seven-plex to four.
"I'm sorry to see him go," Crystal said. "He's a real Long Beach guy."
