Simi Valley Gives Warm Send-Off to City Manager

Ringing phones, whirring copiers, clacking keyboards--it was business as usual at Simi Valley City Hall on Thursday afternoon. Except for the unwieldy pink box that was stealthily slipped past the city manager’s open office door.

Safely inside a conference room, Dianne Harris slipped off the lid. Underneath: a triple-layer farewell cake for her boss, Lin Koester.

Slowly, dozens of city workers began to trickle in, gathering to honor Koester, the city manager who is leaving today. After 16 years on the job, he is taking over as Ventura County’s chief administrative officer.

“It is a sad day for us here,” said Harris, who has worked as Koester’s executive assistant for nearly 16 years. “He’s really taken care of all of us over the years.”

She dashed down the hall to collect Koester, returning moments later with the guest of honor, who seemed more pleased than surprised by the gathering.

One by one, from council members to clerks, the guests paid their respects.

“It’s Koester’s last stand,” joked Councilman Paul Miller as he thumped Koester affectionately on the back.

From Councilwoman Sandi Webb, a hug and a homemade cherry pie, one of Koester’s favorite indulgences.

“Now I have to find out what Mike likes,” she said, referring to Mike Sedell, the assistant city manager who is replacing Koester.

Hat in hand, building inspector Charlie Harrington marched up and shook Koester’s hand.

“I admire him,” Harrington said as he helped himself to a slice of cake. “He’s a good person and a good manager.”

Cindy Christianson, a customer service clerk, presented Koester with a framed photo. In it, Koester is grinning, clad in a black plastic trash bag marked “trash manager.”

The get-up was part of a routine put together by Christianson and four other clerks as part of the city’s annual Halloween contest.

“We danced to a song called ‘Trashy Ladies,’ and we got Lin to join in,” Christianson said. “So many people see the stern side of Lin, but we got beyond that.”

Around the border of the photo, several clerks signed their names, punctuated with red glitter Xs and O’s. The top of the photo bore this message: “If you’re planning to carry on and indulge in wild and shameless behavior in Ventura, make room for us.”

From all the city’s staff: an oversize card and a photo album crammed with snapshots and personal notes.

After the crowd subsided, Koester sat for a moment, reflecting on the job he assumes on June 19.

“I’m nervous,” Koester said, looking not the least bit unsettled. “Nervous and a little sad. I think it is going to be a big challenge.”

Next week, before he goes to the county, Koester plans to spend a few days with his wife and children at their house in Pismo Beach. Then he will head to Las Vegas to spend time with his mother and play a little blackjack.

“I’m just a tiny bit of a gambler,” he said. “It will be fun.”