By Tom Blodgett | Gilbert Independent
Gilbert residents had a chance Thursday night to meet the four finalists vying to become the town’s next manager, hearing how each candidate would approach Gilbert’s looming financial challenges, economic development priorities and the transition from rapid growth to long-term maintenance.
The town hosted a public forum featuring finalists Robert Field, Mario Paniagua, Leah Rhineheimer and Alison Zelms as the search continues for a permanent replacement for former Town Manager Patrick Banger, who left earlier this year to become city manager in Glendale.
Ron Corbin, city manager of Avondale, had originally been part of the finalist pool but withdrew from consideration before the forum.
