Tod Larson is moving to Wyoming to work as a planner for the state's Fish and Game office, and to be closer to a Veteran Affair's medical center.
City Manager Tod Larson is leaving Dillingham after three years on the job. Larson is moving to Wyoming to work as a planner for the state’s Fish and Game office.
Larson said the decision to leave was not easy.
“I had a lot more to do here," he said. "I hope I did well for everyone out there, I put my heart into it and hopefully three years was worth the effort here.”
Larson pointed to capital improvement projects as a hallmark of his time as city manager. He worked closely with city officials to kick-off road improvements and sewage system overhauls. Those projects are currently underway.
He’s moving partly to address some medical concerns.
“It’s gotten to the point where I can’t push ’em off anymore I gotta get moving," Larson said. "It happened to fall into a town that has a VA medical center.”
Larson said he will cherish the people of Dillingham most of all.
“What you really miss when you move is the people," Larson said. "People you meet; the good people that you work with. The citizens out there that you’re working for, trying to make their lives better. Just keep working together. Work towards the primary goal of enjoying your life and just take care of yourselves, really.”
Larson’s last day in office is December 23. He is recommending City Planner Cynthia Rogers as interim city manager.
Mayor Alice Ruby says the city council will meet Thursday for a regular meeting to discuss the transition.
“That will be the council’s decision to figure out the long term plan will be for the interim," Ruby said. "In the past, it’s taken six months or more to replace a manager, because there are a lot of open positions in the state.”
The City Council could move to approve Rogers as the interim city manager or it could suggest alternatives. Either way, the council must approve a formal plan before Larson leaves. The city will also recruit to permanently fill the position.
Contact the author at tyler@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200