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Wayne Saunders
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Daily Commercial, The (Leesburg, FL)
July 20, 2005
After exhausting search, Clermont has new police chief
Author: Roxanne Brown
CLERMONT -- After an intense selection process for Clermont's next police chief, which
included a couple of unexpected surprises, City Manager Wayne Saunders confirmed late
Wednesday afternoon that Boynton Beach's Assistant Police Chief Stephen Graham will join the
force.
According to Saunders, Graham officially accepted the position Wednesday -- compensation
package and all.
"The department has been in limbo during this process. They need a leader to help it along,"
Saunders said. "It's a good department; very dedicated to the community.
"The main thing I'm happy about is moving the department forward."
An initial search was conducted in March by Slavin Management Consultants, a Georgia-based
firm who narrowed the field from 76 original applicants to nine finalists.
Then, after an extensive interview process headed by City Manager Wayne Saunders and the
citizen's advisory committee, the search was brought down to two finalists: William Collins from
Sunrise and Anthony Marten from Miami Beach.
However, a slight delay occurred when, in the final phase, Marten dropped out of the race and
was replaced by Graham, a candidate previously eliminated from the top nine.
"Mr. Graham was always one of the top candidates," Saunders said.
Assistant City Manager Darren Gray said that Saunders has taken the selection process very
seriously, covering all angles to ensure the right person is picked for the police chief position.
At the end of June, Saunders announced his decision to appoint William Collins to the police
chief position.
Although Collins accepted the position initially, a mutual agreement could not be reached
regarding his compensation package, causing yet another delay when Collins declined the city's
offer.
According to city officials, Clermont had advertised the job at between $70,000 and $80,000.
"It was frustrating because we had advertised the position and compensation package,"
Saunders said. "It was just a little surprising that someone that had been in the running that long
decided at the last minute to request something different."
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