Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 15/98) - The first goal of the city's new senior administrator will be to smooth over rifts between city hall and the media.

City hall announced Wednesday it has filled its top bureaucratic position with one of its own, Max Hall, former director of community services.

The formality of finalizing Hall's appointment through a bylaw will be done by council at its May 25 and, if necessary, April 15 meetings.

If all council members are present, the bylaw can be given three readings May 25, which just happens to be Hall's 46th birthday.

Referring to the media as the "wheels of democracy," Hall said his first goal as senior administrator will be to "open up direct communication with the media."

The position pays a minimum of 10 per cent more than the highest-paid person reporting to the senior administrator, explained Mayor Dave Lovell at a press conference in which the selection was announced. Lovell said that works out to at least $110,000.

Asked how he would compare his management style with his predecessor, Hall said, "Doug Lagore was a good leader for our city and certainly had his own style. My style is consensus-building and that's what I'll be working toward."

Lovell echoed the sentiment. "Without speaking against Doug at all, the selection committee felt it was time to open it up and look at a new style ... we felt it was time for a change and Max would give us that change."

Hall served under Lagore for 10 years and has been acting senior administrator since Lagore left the post in February.

A committee that included the mayor and aldermen Peggy Near, Blake Lyons and Ben McDonald recommended Hall for the job after interviewing a short list of three candidates Sunday and Monday.

The other two candidates were from the South, said Lovell.

"It was a very difficult decision, and that's no insult to Max Hall," said the mayor. "They were just very strong contenders."

A total of 23 applicants vied for the job.