Posted: 6:00 a.m. Monday, June 9, 2014

Gilleland was ‘good for the community’

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

    MIDDLETOWN — Judy Gilleland, when she was hired in 2008, became the firstfemale city manager in Middletown’s history. Since 1956, there havebeen eight city managers in Middletown, and Gilleland was the first womanto hold the position.

Butnow, six years later, Gilleland, who retired last week, will be remembered morefor what she accomplished as the city’s top administrator than the woman whobroke through a gender barrier.

    During her career, Gilleland led thecommunity through one of its worst economic downturns only to see thebeginnings of rejuvenation; oversaw the progress with Section 8 Housing; streetimprovements; the sale of the Towne Mall to California investors; the buildingof the Greentree Health Science Academy on the campus of Atrium Medical Center;the opening of Pendleton Art Center downtown; Cincinnati State opening a branchcampus downtown; and the school system moving its administrative offices intothe City Building.

Cityofficials have said Middletown is in better shapetoday than the day Gilleland was hired.

Whenshe was hired AK Steel had just ended a yearlong lockout in March 2007 and thecompany moved its corporate headquarters in August 2007 to West Chester Twp.Downtown redevelopment had been stalled, but the East End development seemedhopeful behind the Renaissance development and the opening of Atrium inDecember 2007.

    And as she took over the city managerreins, the national economy started its historic near-collapse in 2008.

    Those on city council, those who workedclosest with Gilleland, even those who sometimes vehemently disagreed with her,praised her many accomplishments as city manager.

    Middletown Mayor Lawrence Mulligan Jr., whopresented Gilleland with a “certificate of appreciation” at her last councilmeeting, applauded her for being “a valued asset” and said the city now is in“a better place because of her service.”

    When she was hired six years ago, therewere seven people on city council, and only Mulligan and Anita Scott Jonesremain on council. Gilleland thanked them for their “faith and support” inchoosing her over the other six finalists.

    Jones said when some people retire, it’slike they close a book and their life no longer has a purpose. But she expectsGilleland to write the next chapter.

    “You did it your way,” said Jones, whoadded the city was “blessed” to have Gilleland as its leader.

    Council member Dan Picard, who apologizedto Gilleland for giving her “a hard time” with finalizing the city budget,called her an “outstanding” city manager. Now that she has retired, Picardhopes they can remain friends.

    As she neared retirement, Gilleland toldcouncil that she and her finance, Sam Ashwoth, who-me she met in Middletown, counted up some ofcareer numbers: She has worked in city administration for 32 years, in sevencities, and for seven city managers and 11 mayors. She has attended about 1,500community functions and 7,500 meetings.

    Gilleland, who earned $127,654 this year,announced her retirement in December 2013 and said she wanted to provide asix-month notice to council to allow time for any process it would need toselect her replacement. Last month, council brought in five finalists for theposition — Doug Adkins, director of community revitalization; Les Landen, thecity’s law director, and three external candidates, Cathy Davison, former citymanager in Steubenville, Ohio; Willie Norfleet Jr., city manager in Socorro, Texas;and Jane Howington, city manager in Newport, R.I. — and three days after theinterviews, offered the position to Adkins.

    Gilleland, 52, worked as Pickerington citymanager for 3½ years; Centerville assistant citymanager/department head for 14 years; and Lebanon assistant to the citymanager/department head for 6½ years. She also served internships in Tipp City, Hamilton and Dayton.

    She plans to remain in the city and be“very active” in the community, but not in the spotlight as much as she was ascity manager. After three decades of public service in city government,Gilleland knew “the time was right to pursue other interests.”

    Former council member Ann Mort is one ofGilleland’s close friends. She called Gilleland “good for the community” andthe right person at the right time. Middletown needed someone willingto “clean up some things,” Mort said.

    “She stuck her neck out, and when thingswent well, she promoted her people,” Mort said.

Whenasked if Gilleland will be remembered for “one big thing,” Mort said Gillelandaccomplished “many, many little things.”

    Then she added: “You have to remember thatshe was a woman of power in a steel town. She has backbone.”

Middletown city managers since 1956:

CharlieThompson, 1956-64

DanKothe, 1964-70

DaleHelsel, 1970-85

WilliamBurns, 1985-88

WilliamKlosterman, 1988-92

RonOlson, 1992-2004

BillBecker, 2005-07

JudyGilleland, 2008-2014

DougAdkins, 2014

SOURCE: City of Middletown