New Santa Clarita City Manager Has His Share of Critics

Santa Clarita’s new city manager was praised Tuesday as a visionary and aggressive executive but criticized for sometimes employing a cavalier management style that led to his recent firing as city manager of Bakersfield.

But even his critics in Bakersfield praised George Caravalho’s abilities and said his rifts with some city and Kern County officials stemmed more from style than substance. They said Caravalho, 45, was a casualty in a political battle among City Council members.

Critics and supporters said Caravalho, fired by the Bakersfield council in January, is experienced at handling traffic, annexation and city growth problems, all major concerns of the young city of Santa Clarita.

‘Aggressive, Visionary’

“If they are seeking someone aggressive and visionary and someone who will fight, George will fit into their scheme of things,” said Bakersfield Councilman Mark Salvaggio, who voted to oust Caravalho.

Doug Yavanian, president of the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, said Caravalho is energetic and creative and will be well-suited to a new city. “He has a big-picture vision.”

Santa Clarita Councilman Carl Boyer III agreed: “I think the thing that really caught me was his vision.”

As for Caravalho’s firing, “we were very much aware that sometimes the best people get fired,” Boyer said.

As city manager of Bakersfield for four years, Caravalho oversaw a $100-million operating budget in a city of 150,000 people. Before moving to Bakersfield, he served as city manager of San Clemente for four years. Before that, he was deputy city manager in San Mateo and Milpitas.

Caravalho started work Tuesday, the day after the Santa Clarita City Council announced his appointment. E. Fredrick Bien, interim city manager, said he will work for the city as a consultant for a few more days.

The city received 54 applications and interviewed five candidates for the $95,000-a-year post.

Caravalho said his priorities will be hiring a staff, finding a site for city hall and developing accounting, clerical and other support systems. Caravalho joins the city as it races to prepare its first budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Annexation Experience

Caravalho said that he oversaw a few successful annexations in Bakersfield and that the Santa Clarita City Council has asked him to pursue similar goals.

The city covers about 40 square miles, but the council has said it hopes to widen its influence over neighboring areas that could funnel traffic onto city streets and students into schools.

Asked about his recent firing, Caravalho said: “I’m not sure I really understand why.” Caravalho said he resolved a number of conflicts between Bakersfield and Kern County but some people may have viewed his methods as heavy-handed.

Although some of Caravalho’s annexation efforts were successful, he handled two key ones poorly and angered many citizens who voted not to become a part of Bakersfield, Salvaggio said.