Farmington Citizen of the Year
View from the top was better than police chief expected
Posted: 2/6/04
by Aaron Tinklenberg
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Dan Siebenaler is quick to point out that plenty of other people in Farmington work for the benefit of the community. His efforts, including his role as interim city administrator for the last seven months, were just a little more visible.
"If you're doing something and you get caught doing it, it almost doesn't count,î he said of good deeds. "It's the things you don't expect to get credit for that really count.î
Having been caught in the act, Siebenaler was named Citizen of the Year by the Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce in January.
Chamber President Cheryl Retterath said much was made of Siebenaler's administrator work at the awards ceremony. But, she added, his contributions outside of his job were also reason for the award.
"I don't know that enough was said about his running Toys for Town,î she said, singling out the charitable toy drive Siebenaler has helped organize since 1988. "His attitude is phenomenal.î
Siebenaler admits being a little sheepish about his attitude immediately after being named interim administrator. He didn't necessarily want the job, he had said at the time, but was willing to serve when the council asked.
His service in that capacity now over, Siebenaler says he misses having his hands in every aspect of city management.
"You begin to see that in that role, you can make a real difference and get things done if you're willing to put the work in,î he explained. "There's a sense of accomplishment.î
Siebenaler has a history of deferring to department managers, but the city did accomplish much under his direction. Most notable were the completion of a park trails master plan, a site being chosen for a new city hall and a $1 million grant won for the Spruce Street extension project.
In working toward those goals, Siebenaler says he gained a deeper understanding of how Farmington operates. From the interaction between staff and council members, between staff and the community and among staff internally, Siebenaler's perspective is both grander and more detailed than ever before.
"It's one thing to be able to tell time on a watch, and another thing to know that there are gears and cogs inside that make it work,î Siebenaler said. "It's still another thing to be able to build a watch and put those pieces together, and that's the level of detail a city administrator has to know.
"And that's fun.î
So it's back to leading a police department for Siebenaler, but he'll be taking with him the things he's learned. He says he now knows how important it is that his department have a proactive voice in city matters, using planning as an example. If the police can help shape development, he explained, that can help make neighborhoods safer.
"I can't tell you the number of times I've asked [City Administrator] Dave [Urbia] if I can stay involved in some process,î Siebenaler said. "It's things I don't really have any business being involved with, but I've got a vest interest now, and I'd like to be involved.î
It's a good bet he will be.
Aaron Tinklenberg is at farmington.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
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