In the wake of the Rita Crundwell scandal, the city of Dixon is now set to hire its first ever city administrator. City leaders and community members got the chance to meet the man up for the job.
The city of Dixon has a lot to look forward to these days, $40 million dollars from a settlement and a new city administrator.
"This will be a person with experience, with a background to help aid our city in the direction it needs to go," said Kathy Yount who lives in Dixon.
After a nationwide search, the city had 40 applicants apply. The city interviewed four and narrowed it down to one finalist. Tuesday, November 5, 2013 a meet and greet was held for the public. If approved by city council, finalist David Nord will be the city's first city administrator.
"Rita Crundwell is in prison, we are recouping our money, it's time to move on," said Jeff Kuhn, who was on the interviewing committee.
After former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell was caught stealing $53 million from Dixon, some say the city administrator position is needed now more than ever.
"The expectations of being upfront, being honest and being as technically savvy as possible those are things that I want to bring to this community," said Nord.
However, Nord would be coming into a time where the public's trust in city officials is at an all time low.
When asked how he is going to gain the public's trust, Nord said, "They're looking for people who are going to be professional in their behavior."
Nord's 25 years of experience as a city administrator for Cherry Valley, Illinois, near Rockford, is what some say the city of Dixon needs.
"We just need one person to draw us back together and make this work and I think he's the right guy," said Kuhn.
If Nord is approved at next Tuesday's, November 12, meeting he'll start working next Wednesday, November 13, 2013.