Mt. Angel Police Chief Mark Daniel has accepted the position of city manger after filling the role on an interim basis since last year.
The City Council appointed Daniel June 6 and he will now act as both city manager and police chief, much as he has since previous City Manager Kevin Cronin departed in August 2021.
The city initially struggled to find applicants for the position, as numerous other cities were also seeking managers at the time. The search was eventually suspended so the city could refocus its efforts and Daniel agreed in February to act as interim city manager indefinitely.
Daniel has risen to the occasion, and worked directly with citizens and fellow officials to identify and prioritize city projects, from speed signs to large-scale infrastructure improvements. The city said in its July newsletter this attitude proved Daniel was right for the job.
“[Daniel] has shown enthusiasm to be involved in matters both large and small, and encourages open communication between staff and the community, which has proven to be a valuable asset,” said the newsletter. “ We are confident he will continue to make the city a safe and enjoyable place to live as he takes on the role of city manager.”
His official entry into the role comes at a challenging moment for Mt. Angel, following the June 26 death of Mayor Don Fleck. Daniel said he will work with City Council President Pete Wall to plan next steps.
“Obviously, this was something that none of us planned for, but we are committed to move forward in Don’s honor,” said Daniel.
– Stephen Floyd
