New city manager heading from Oklahoma to DeBary

PHOTO COURTESY DON ALQUIST/THE DAILY ARDMOREITE
Dan Parrott, new DeBary City Manager

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Feb 3, 2010 - 6:31:07pm

The City of DeBary has been walking a rocky path for most of the past year. Now, Dan Parrott, of Ardmore, Okla., will take a shot at smoothing things out.

Parrott will start Monday, Feb. 8, as DeBary's city manager, earning $90,000 a year.

"I'm excited about being there. It seems like a nice town, with nice folks," Parrott said.

He was chosen from among 86 candidates.

City Council members talked to some of the applicants by phone. They chose three to interview Jan. 28: Parrott, John Drago of Apopka and Stephen Marro of Zebulon, Ga.

Drago dropped out a day before the interview, leaving two top contenders. Parrott emerged as the favorite, was offered the job, and signed a contract Jan. 28.

Mayor Bob Garcia told Parrott, "I hope you stay here as long as you stayed in Ardmore."

Parrott managed Ardmore for the past seven years, resigning after a citizens group turned its attention to him over problems in the city's Police Department. Other citizens supported Parrott. He received a $90,000 compensation package from the City of Ardmore. Read more online at The Daily Admoreite.

Parrott lists a total of 22 years' experience in local-government management, including a four-year stint as city manager of Mexico, Mo., and five years as assistant city manager in Winslow, Ariz.

Last April, the DeBary City Council fired City Manager Maryann Courson. In August, they offered the job to Kenneth S. Weaver of Johnson City, Tenn.

Weaver became the center of controversy after some residents questioned his background. Weaver rescinded his acceptance of the job.

The City Council hired former Ponce Inlet Town Manager Kassandra Blissett as acting city manager, while the city engaged in a second search. Blissett will remain on board for a month, to help Parrott transition into the job.

Parrott was complimentary of Blissett. "She's very adept at what she does. She knows the area and the players," he said.

Some DeBary City Council members wanted Blissett to take the job permanently, but she did not apply, saying she could work only part time while she completes a bachelor's degree.

Parrott said he's aware of what happened with Weaver, and he's not worried about inquires into his past.

He said he and his wife, Maria, are getting packed and looking for a home in DeBary. Maria, who has a background as a museum director, will look for volunteer work.

"We sold our house in three days," he said.

The Parrotts own a place in St. Augustine, and are familiar with East Central Florida.

— pat@beacononlinenewscom

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