Bids
Farewell
Mayor Pro Tem Rick Herrick expressed his appreciation
for Mathieu’s leadership as follows: “Jeff took on and completed, within budget
and on time, countless City-wide enhancement projects, which I am personally so
grateful. His management style and ability to gather the best and brightest talent
is truly his most significant contribution to our town. Thank you Jeff, you’ve
helped make our small mountain town a better place to live, work and
play.”
Councilmember David Caretto echoed the Mayor and
Mayor Pro Tem’s sentiment in his following statement, “It has been my distinct
pleasure to work with Jeff Mathieu as a member of the City Council during the
last 9 1/2 years. During that time our relationship has grown from a purely
professional one to a true and lasting friendship.
As a former City Manager, I
have greatly admired his ability to manage, improve, streamline, and grow the
City of Big Bear Lake organization; to establish valuable working relationships
with many other organizations, both within and outside the Big Bear Valley; to
nurture and mentor members of the staff and grow them into a very efficient
working operation; to complete many capital improvement and other types of
projects which have made Big Bear Lake much better and the envy of the entire
county; to become a leader and mentor among City Managers in the area; and to
work closely and effectively with all of the members of the City Council to
implement the City’s Vision and Mission. He will be greatly missed by the City
Council, the staff and the entire community. Cindy and I wish him well in his
retirement and congratulate him on a very successful and long career in public
administration.”
Councilmember Bill Jahn, who was Mayor in 2006
when Mathieu was hired by the City Council, had this to say about Jeff’s
announcement: “As someone with almost 20 years of public service and a
successful career in home building, I’ve had the opportunity to work with local
jurisdictions throughout Southern California on both sides of the Dais. I can
honestly say I have never met a City Manager with Jeff’s talents, nor can I
think of anyone who cares more about his City. We are truly blessed to have had
him all these years and Big Bear Lake is a better place because of his
leadership. As a friend I can’t be more excited for him, as a sitting
Councilmember, we have our work cut out for us to find a replacement of his
caliber.”
Councilmember Bob Jackowski joins his fellow
Council Members expressing his disappointment regarding Jeff’s impending
retirement, but indicated he is grateful for the many enhancements that were
made to that City under Jeff’s direction over the last 13 years. He also
acknowledged Mathieu’s distinguished career and wished him well in all of his
future endeavors.
Mathieu anticipates retiring prior to the end of
the year, but the exact timing of his departure will depend upon the transition
of his replacement. The City Council is responsible for determining when and
how to fill the vacancy that will be created by this retirement. Council will
discuss this topic at a Special Meeting to be scheduled in the upcoming
weeks.
The City of Big Bear Lake’s City Council and
staff, thank Jeff Mathieu for his 13 years of outstanding and dedicated public
service to our community and wish him all the best on his upcoming retirement.
Written by Erica Stephenson –
City of Big Bear Lake