ANAHEIM : Council Makes Ruth New City Manager
The City Council has approved a contract promoting Assistant City Manager James D. Ruth to the job of the city’s top administrator.
The 3-0 vote Tuesday formalized the selection of a replacement for City Manager Bob Simpson, who is retiring May 1.
The controversy that erupted over the selection process rattled City Hall last month, with Mayor Fred Hunter and Councilman William D. Ehrle accusing fellow council members of meeting secretly to choose Ruth.
“I think we’re all pleased that this is behind us and we can move forward with the business of the city,” Ruth said Tuesday night.
Ehrle abstained from the vote, and Hunter was absent from the meeting.
“I feel Jim Ruth will be a very good city manager; however, I cannot condone the manner in which he was selected,” said Ehrle, explaining why he abstained.
He and Hunter have asked the Orange County district attorney and the Orange County Grand Jury to investigate whether there was any wrongdoing by the three council members during the March selection.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
