SEA ISLE CITY –– According to interim Administrator Richard Deaney, City Council members here will vote on Mayor Leonard Desiderio’s selection for Deaney’s replacement in a meeting on Saturday.
Deaney would not disclose whom the mayor had chosen for the position but representatives from the city’s taxpayers association believe it is George J. Savastano, Ocean City’s Director of Planning and Engineering.
Deaney, a retired Ocean City Administrator, has been acting as Sea Isle’s top manager since before the change of government in July.
Savastano, according to the same sources, was the mayor’s second choice for the position.
The original nominee, who was chosen from 33 candidates, refused the position for personal reasons.
As Ocean City’s top planner, Savastano said he oversees a year-round staff of 60 as well as 70 seasonal employees and manages all facility, fleet and infrastructure maintenance. He is responsible for a $7 million annual operating budget and $8 million annual capital improvement budget.
He was director of the Public Works Department before being appointed to his current job last year and previously worked with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers as a project engineer.
Savastano is a graduate of Widener University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He is a state registered Professional Engineer and certified Public Works Manager.
Savastano, who resides in Ocean City with his wife Rose, would receive a salary of $115,000 if selected for the administrator position.
He told the Herald he looks forward to working hard for the residents of Sea Isle City.
“I hope to bring my 26 years of professional experience to help the community,” he said. He also said he believes his 13 years experience in Ocean City government, the same form recently embarked on by Sea Isle, will prove to be invaluable.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
