Who Will Be Stockton's Next City Manager?

STOCKTON, CA — With Steve Colangelo on the chopping block at tomorrow's city council meeting, rumors are flying fast and furious about who will be tapped to take over as Stockton's next City Manager. Since Mayor Christina Fugazi's brilliant decision to hire a man with no municipal experience, Colangelo has been a resounding success—if your definition of success is a series of embarrassing public debacles and a mass exodus of seasoned city staff. Now, with Vice Mayor Jason Lee having broken free from the infamous Fugazi spell, a desperate scramble is underway to find a new patsy for the city's top job.

Here's a breakdown of the rumored finalists, vying to become Stockton's next chief bureaucrat:

1. Chad Reed: The Newbie

Chad Reed, the former Stockton Public Works Director, was the last man standing after the great City Hall talent purge that followed Colangelo's hiring. Elevated to the lofty title of Deputy City Manager, he's now the de facto senior staffer—a truly impressive feat given his mere months in the role. Everyone says Chad is an all-around good guy, the kind of person you'd invite to a barbecue and not worry about them trying to sell you on a pyramid scheme. However, his recent public attempts to cozy up to the 209 Times regulars suggest a man with his eye on a much bigger prize.

His strength? He has more municipal experience than Colangelo, which, admittedly, isn't saying much. He's been doing his homework, and it's clear he's gunning for the top job. But after only a few months as deputy, does he have the skills to lead California's 11th largest city? Or is he just a slightly more qualified sacrificial lamb? Only time, and Tuesday's vote, will tell.

2. Jay Wilverding: The Over-Qualified Candidate

Then there's Jay Wilverding, the former San Joaquin County Administrator. In a bizarre twist of fate, Wilverding is the most qualified of the bunch, which, in Stockton politics, automatically makes him the least likely to get the job. He was unceremoniously booted from his county post after a long-running, public spat with Supervisor Tom Patti, a man who knows a thing or two about butting heads and administering slush funds.

However, as any regular follower of our fearless leaders knows, the primary qualification for the City Manager gig isn't experience; it's whether you can pass the Sam Fant/Motec puppet test. Jay, unfortunately, probably flunks out on that count.

He learned this the hard way back in January. After campaigning for Christina Fugazi, he watched as she and her cronies chose a nimrod with zero experience over a veteran administrator. He was too qualified, you see. Jay's jaw must have hit the floor that day, kicking himself for all the fundraising he did for Fugazi. What he failed to grasp is that to get the job, you have to be willing to kiss Motec's ring (or something else that's round with a hole in it). Jay, bless his heart, just isn't the type to pucker up.

3. Ronald McDonald: The Dark Horse

Our final, and perhaps most delicious, contender is the one and only Ronald McDonald. It's a name that has been whispered in city hall since Vice Mayor Lee first quipped that the clown was "unavailable" when Colangelo was hired. Nearly six months later, however, the clown prince of fast food may finally be free from his contractual obligations after McDonald's 2025 launch of the S'mores McFlurry, and return of the Snack Wrap. Does he have municipal experience? Of course not. He's a clown mascot, and it's questionable whether he could even manage one restaurant, let alone a city. But remember, for this council, experience is not the primary qualification. Pleasing Sam Fant and Motec is.

One advantage Ronald McDonald has over the rest of the competition is his direct line to Mayor McCheese, who has the chops to act as a consultant. Unlike Colangelo's hiring of Lathrop's City Manager as his own personal on the job tutor, Mayor McCheese has a municipal resume that goes back over 50 years where he led McDonaldland to decades of prosperity. Plus, who's going to turn down free fries?

4. The Colangelo Re-Up

Then there's the most terrifying prospect of all: the council could just keep Steve Colangelo. It's possible Fugazi can still retain her four votes. It's a tough task, as Colangelo fits the 209 Times' criteria to a "T"—unqualified, and willing to pucker up for the job. While Motec, Fant, and Fugazi would surely love to keep him in place, they may have to compromise for an option that is more qualified and less willing to bend over.

5. Some Rando

As always, there's the possibility of a wild card: a rando that nobody's ever heard of. While this candidate would bring zero name recognition or a track record of success, they also come with no baggage to scrutinize, making them an ideal choice for a council that prefers to operate in the shadows.

We'll find out our new City Manager tomorrow evening, or, more likely, we’ll just have another round of political hot potatoes.

Colangelo's Out. Is Ronald McDonald Finally In?