Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
News
By Mike Wiggins on November 15, 2024
Ouray administrator finalists make pitch to public, interview panels

The three candidates for the Ouray city administrator job made their pitches Thursday and today for why they should be hired to fill the city’s top job.

Daric Harvey, Michelle Metteer and Michael Reese met informally with roughly 50 residents for more than two hours Thursday night at the Ouray Community Center, then formally interviewed this morning with two different panels.

The three finalists started Thursday night’s meet-and-greet by introducing themselves to residents and taking a few minutes each to discuss their professional backgrounds and accomplishments and why they applied for the job.

Harvey, who has spent 28 years in various law enforcement and public safety positions in Florida and Colorado, most recently served on the Colorado State Board of Parole from 2020 to 2023. Prior to that, he was the police chief in Cañon City from 2017 to 2020 and a commander with the Vail Police Department from 2012 to 2017.

Metteer is currently the town administrator in Minturn in Eagle County, a position she’s held since 2018. She previously served as the town’s economic development director, special events coordinator and deputy town clerk.

Reese was most recently the city manager in Maplewood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, a position he held for two years before resigning last year. Prior to that he spent 22 years in Columbus, Ohio, working most of that time in a variety of roles in city government.

Harvey suggested the skills he’s acquired in law enforcement over the years would translate well as a city administrator.

 

Daric Harvey visits with members of the public Thursday night during the reception for the finalists. Erin McIntyre – Ouray County Plaindealer

 

In Cañon City, he said he helped develop a statewide strategic plan to improve behavioral health treatment. When he was a commander in Vail, he said he helped lead revisions to the town’s special event planning and approval process.

“I’m the guy who will raise my hand and say, ‘Yes, I’ll help. What do you need?’” he said.

Harvey said he’s been involved in hiring, recruiting and retaining police officers in the past, an effort he said he would continue on a broader municipal level focused on finding and building a team of skilled, happy city employees. He said he views the city administrator job in Ouray as an opportunity to help the community in a way that’s different from law enforcement.

Metteer, who has spent a total of 15 years in municipal government work, highlighted capital improvement projects in Minturn such as a sidewalk replacement program and an upcoming bridge replacement. She pointed to the construction of a bike park in Minturn that proved to be so popular that it recently began hosting a national competition that served as an economic boon for the town.

 

Michelle Metteer addresses the crowd during the reception for city administrator finalists Thursday night at the Ouray Community Center. Erin McIntyre – Ouray County Plaindealer

 

She said she has also focused on increasing government transparency, noting that residents can access meeting videos, ordinances and other government documents online.

“Trust is the foundation for all community building,” she said.

Reese possesses the most municipal government experience of the three candidates, spending 22 of the last 27 years working for municipal governments. In Columbus, where he worked his way up from legislative analyst for the city council to chief of staff for the mayor, he said he helped shepherd budgets through two economic downturns. In Maplewood, he managed a $28 million annual budget.

 

Michael Reese introduces himself to the crowd during the reception Thursday night for the city administrator finalists. Erin McIntyre – Ouray County Plaindealer

 

During his time there, he said, the city’s municipal bond rating — a grade assigned to a bond issued by a local government that determines the risk and interest cost of the investment — improved from “outlook negative” to “outlook stable.”

Reese also noted that Maplewood had interim police and fire chiefs when he arrived, and he said he led a reform of the police department there. Ouray, likewise, currently has an interim police chief.

He said if he’s hired in Ouray he has a six-month plan to build relationships with the council, staff and community.

Most of Thursday night’s event was dedicated to finalists and citizens visiting one-on-one or in small groups. Residents had the chance to fill out comment cards and offer anonymous feedback on the candidates.

Harvey, Metteer and Reese then spent this morning interviewing with two panels — one consisting of city councilors and the other consisting of community leaders and other city managers in the region.

City councilors then met in executive session at 1 p.m. to discuss and review feedback from the public and the interview panelists.

It’s unknown when the council will select a new city administrator. Under state law, councilors can’t announce a hire until Nov. 22 at the earliest.

The new city administrator will replace Silas Clarke, who resigned in September after nearly four years on the job.

 

Saving Swiss Village
Main, News...
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVED
Saving Swiss Village
Collaboration to buy Ouray mobile home park could serve as model elsewhere in Colorado, as residents celebrate with applause, tears
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
It took an attorney willing to work for free and hop on a midnight phone call in the middle of her vacation. It took two couples who had never met before performing remarkable acts of generosity and h...
this is a test
Main, News...
Fireworks shot at homes
Council enacts blanket ban as police look for truck
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com deb.hurley.brobst@gmail.com 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city leaders moved swiftly this week to ban all personal fireworks in the city, days after homes near Lee’s Ski Hill were shot with a barrage of pyrotechnics on Sunday night that ignited multipl...
this is a test
Home Trust to close on rental property
News
Home Trust to close on rental property
Ouray triplex will be retained as affordable housing
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
Five new affordable rental units are coming to the city of Ouray, as the Home Trust of Ouray County will close next month on its second affordable housing acquisition. The property at 835 Second St. i...
this is a test
News
Sex assault trial delayed
Defense seeks DNA expert; attorneys disagree on possible venue change
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
The trial of one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl inside the home of the former Ouray police chief has been delayed. Nate Dieffenderffer, 20, was scheduled to stand trial...
this is a test
News
City pulls back on plans for Fellin Park stage
Search on for funding as price tag drops to between $1M and $1.6M
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city councilors are much happier with revised plans for a permanent stage in Fellin Park. Now the challenge is finding money to pay for it. Councilors on Monday looked at two scenarios that drop...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RV Park’s treatment has long-lasting effect
June 18, 2025
Dear Editor: My mother and father bought a trailer at the 4J+1+1 RV Park in 2005 and loved living there. My mom even lived there alone for 10 years after my dad passed. She is getting older so we buil...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Commit to climate action
June 18, 2025
Dear Editor: I salute Hansa Devi and the Ridgway Town Council for their part in making Ridgway, Colorado, the first in the world to fly the Earth Flag! In 2023 the Pew Research Center study found that...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
New building a wart on face of mountain
June 18, 2025
Dear Editor: During the past few months myself, valley floor ranch folks, Ridgway residents and others have been asking about the building that has been under construction for a period of time located...
this is a test
Looking Back
Looking Back
Looking Back
June 18, 2025
50 Years Ago June 19, 1975 Dick Guadagno, Ridgway, came to the Ouray City Council meeting Monday night to ask council approval of a project to renovate the historic Horsethief Trail this summer. Guada...
this is a test
News
SMPA delays Ouray work until August
Power cooperative vows to improve communication with city
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 18, 2025
San Miguel Power Association is postponing work to replace power poles and more in the city of Ouray until late August because of delays in getting supplies. The company rescheduled the dates earlier ...
this is a test
News
City seeks parking solutions
Priorities: Turnover on Main Street, more parking on side streets
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city leaders want to encourage turnover of parking spaces on Main Street and utilize more parking on side streets, while creating more enforceable parking rules. Those were just some of the prio...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy