Miki Mullor
Editor
Two days before a public reception at City Hall, City Manager finalist Regan Bolli withdrew his candidacy over comments made by a Sammamish city council member on Facebook with the last week.
An email to Interim City Manager Larry Patterson from the City’s recruiter reads:
Mr. Bolli has decided to withdraw, please cancel his hotel reservation.
He saw the comments by council members on Facebook this week and researched more into the situation there. He understands that Sammamish has great challenges and the Council is divided but felt that challenges are workable if the elected officials are invested in the community and not invested in ideologies. The comments this week and some information from the research he did indicate a leaning towards investment in ideology. He has a great situation in Covington and feels it is a better choice for his family at this time.
Lynelle Klein, Vice President for Operations, Colin Baenziger & Associates
While Mr. Bolli did not identify which comments made him withdraw, Sammamish Comment is aware of Facebook comments this week related to the City Manager search only from Council Member Jason Ritchie.
Ritchie questioned the process searching for a city manager and the lack of diversity of the candidates.
Sharon Gavin, the City’s Communication Manager said:
“We understand that candidates have a lot of factors to weigh when considering a job change like this, and wish Mr. Bolli and his family all the best.”
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Sammamish Comment 
Well, if an exchange about candidate diversity, or lack there of, caused him to withdraw, imagine what he’d think the first time he falls short of expectations and ends up with his face and a scathing article in the Comment. Whomever gets the job had better have tough skin and be highly skilled in conflict resolution. I’d be surprised if he didn’t do more than a cursory review.
I think Mr. Bolli avoided a train wreck for a job. I would hate to report to the current city coucil. They probably lacked candidates because anybody can research the city of Sammammish and discover all of the never ending issues and staff turnover. A position of city manager is a big deal and you want to make sure if you leave your current job you are going into a better situation. I don’t think this is the case for Sammammish. And I agree with Todd from Facebook council member Jason should give his position to a non Caucasian or a female. Practice what you preach Jason!
I called it! I wish I was wrong, but these clowns truly are a sight to behold! What do I win?
https://sammamish.news/2019/02/01/proposed-minimum-density-state-law-would-upzone-76-of-sammamish-to-6-units-per-acre-and-convert-44-of-it-to-high-density-development/#comment-4680
“If I were a candidate for city manager, and I watched these meetings, I would run away, VERY FAR away. Read the city manager reports in the meeting agenda packets from Larry Patterson… given his interim nature he can “call it like he sees it” and it’s rather scathing in my view.
I have no idea how they are going to recruit someone with this council. All seven of them are way out of their league.”
You did call it.
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Richie needs to go next. I want to call that one.