Albert Lea residents and members of the City Council on Friday got their first in-person peek at the six finalists vying to become the next city manager.

After spending a majority of the day with the candidates, Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen said he thought each finalist was unique and qualified for the position.

“I don’t feel disappointed about bringing any of the candidates,” he said.

The finalists include Chad Adams, Medina city administrator; David Johnson, Wabasha county administrator; Pat Merrill, former city manager in Fort Morgan, Colo.; David Minke, former deputy county administrator in Anoka County; Dean Torreson, city administrator in Macomb, Ill.; and Greg Withers, former Princeton city administrator.

As of Saturday morning Minke had withdrawn his candidacy. He said he and his wife didn’t think the timing was right for their family.

The candidates arrived in town Thursday night and then met with Rasmussen and a few other city leaders for breakfast first thing Friday morning at their hotel.

Following breakfast, the finalists and their spouses toured the city with the mayor and Randy Kehr, executive director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, via Albert Lea Transit bus.

The tour began at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club and traveled throughout the community. Kehr and Rasmussen pointed out many business and infrastructure highlights of the community, including some challenges the next manager may be facing.

After the tour, the finalists met informally with department heads at Wedgewood Cove and ate lunch. Following this, each finalist met in small groups with members of the City Council.

The day culminated at an open house at the National Vitality Center on Broadway Avenue, during which the community was invited to attend.

The day was set to end with the council members and their spouses eating dinner with the finalists and their spouses.

Interviews are scheduled for Saturday morning.

On Friday afternoon, the candidates shared their impressions of their interview experience thus far and what they would look forward to if they were chosen for the position.

Adams noted the strong staff and council in Albert Lea and said he is personally interested in many of the projects at the forefront of the city right now, including the downtown revitalization, the development of the Blazing Star Landing and the vitality efforts.

He said these three things can make Albert Lea a destination and add to the dynamic of the strong business climate already in the city.

Johnson said he was impressed with the sense of community found in Albert Lea and the vision for the future that is present.

“The city seems to have a vision of what it needs to do or wants to do,” he said. “Some cities don’t have that.”

Withers said he thinks the city has a lot of potential for projects, noting there is already a lot of things happening with economic development.

He said he thinks a vision is important to have before a group can accomplish things.

Minke said he was impressed with the enthusiasm among staff and noted the amount of development and redevelopment potential the city has.

Torreson, who also interviewed as a finalist during the city manager search in 2010, described the city’s mayor and council as “solid.”

“They’re looking for a way to move forward on several projects important to the community,” he said. “They need a city manager to provide that coordination.”

He described city staff as experienced, mature and confident and said the community has “great potential.”

Merrill said he thought Albert Lea is a beautiful community and noted he loves the growth taking place here.

Click here to see a gallery of images related to the finalists.

Look to www.AlbertLeaTribune.com to find out the results of the Saturday interviews.