GARDNER — Gardner’s search for a new city administrator ended in chaos this week. In a letter posted on Gardner’s city Web site, Gardner Mayor David Drovetta said he’s suspending the city’s search for a new city administrator after the two top candidates withdrew their applications. A city council member gave information about the candidates from an executive session to a Gardner-based news Web site, he said. The city council member also conducted his own background search without notifying anyone, alerting the candidates’ present employers about their applications, Drovetta said. The candidates were also dismayed by how long it’s taken for the city council to conduct the search, he said. Although the Web site GardnerEdge.com didn’t identify the council member, several responses referred to Larry Fotovich. Drovetta said former Johnson County administrator Mike Press will be interim city administrator until next spring.
Thursday, Sept. 22, 5 p.m.
