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Fired Medford city manager a candidate in Phoenix Eric Swanson Tuesday Jul 18, 2017 at 5:09 PM Jul 18, 2017 at 7:39 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm Former Medford City Manager Eric Swanson, who was fired two years ago during a hostile meeting with the City Council, is one of the top applicants for the city manager position in Phoenix. Swanson, who recently stepped down as city administrator in Gladstone, will be interviewed by the Phoenix City Council Friday during an executive session. David VanDermark, who was previously city manager in Crescent City, California, is the other candidate for the position, which pays $90,000 to $105,000 a year. Swanson, 55, said he looks forward to being considered for the job in Phoenix. "I have a lot of contacts in the Rogue Valley," he said. "With my experience, it would really be a plus for Phoenix." He said he doesn't like to dwell on the past, acknowledging the last two city manager jobs have been difficult. "In this business, we have to keep moving forward," he said. "I've moved forward from that whole situation. That's a healthy situation for a city manager to have." Swanson, who made $145,008 annually in Medford, said city managers serve at the will of councilors, and sometimes it's difficult to keep the job for any extended period. Despite moving around so much over the past few years, Swanson said he's glad that he's been able to stay in Oregon. Swanson, who was city manager in Roseburg before coming to Medford, said he knew VanDermark when he was the city manager and urban renewal agency director for Winston. Gladstone Mayor Tammy Stempel filed a complaint against Swanson April 3 alleging he told her that she could no longer participate in any city activities, speak to staff or request information needed as part of her position, according to an article in the Clackamas Review. Swanson said he never made that statement. Also, according to the April 19 Clackamas Review, hairdresser Sharon Alexander filed a complaint alleging Swanson bullied her as part of an eviction to make way for construction of a new police station. Swanson denied the allegations, saying he was only operating under the direction of the city attorney. Swanson said it was a tumultuous time in that city, which involved the recall of two city councilors. He said he worked for three mayors during his year and a half in that city. Prior to Gladstone, Swanson worked for three years in Medford, but tensions between the council and Swanson spilled over during a public meeting June 4, 2015, which led to his firing and dismissal from the council chambers. “I do not feel Eric is honest, I do not trust Eric,” Councilor Dick Gordon said at the time. “I have found him very disrespectful.” After being assailed by councilors, Swanson said in his defense at the time, “There were comments made toward me that I think were outside of the decorum of any city council." Dave Kanner, interim Phoenix city manager, said he has urged his council to hire someone with previous city manager experience. He said he hopes the council can make a determination sometime soon to pick a qualified candidate. The city went through a selection process, and the Friday executive session will give councilors a chance to size up VanDermark and Swanson. "We invited four candidates, but two withdrew their names," Kanner said. He said he hopes that by Aug. 7, the council can make a decision and present an offer, or open the search again for other potential candidates. — Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.