The City of Avalon announced the selection of David Jinkens, of South Lake Tahoe, California, as the town’s new city manager.
Mayor Anni Marshall said the vote to select Jinkens was unanimous. Jinkens succeeds Ben Harvey, who was fired by a vote of 3-2 in November of last year. Denise Radde has been serving as interim city manager since that time.
According to Marshall, Jinkens worked in Avalon for about one-and-a-half years in the 1980s. Marshall said that Jinkens will be coming out of retirement to work here.
The City of Avalon announced the selection of David Jinkens, of South Lake Tahoe, California, as the town’s new city manager.
Mayor Anni Marshall said the vote to select Jinkens was unanimous. Jinkens succeeds Ben Harvey, who was fired by a vote of 3-2 in November of last year. Denise Radde has been serving as interim city manager since that time.
According to Marshall, Jinkens worked in Avalon for about one-and-a-half years in the 1980s. Marshall said that Jinkens will be coming out of retirement to work here.
In an email, Jinkens wrote, “I am of course delighted, pleased and honored to return as Avalon’s city manager. I look forward to working with the City Council members collectively and individually to provide the best service possible to the people of Avalon.”
According to Jinkens, he wants to have a good relationship with the Santa Catalina Island Company and the Catalina Island Conservancy that is based on respect and mutual interest
Jinkens currently serves as president of the Rotary Club in his mainland community. According to Lake Tahoe area news reports, Jinkens was city manager of South Lake Tahoe for about eight years. He left the position in 2010.
Duane Wallace, president of the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, said he had worked with Jinkens on economic issues for many years. “I found him quite easy to work with,” Wallace said. According to Wallace, Jinkens has remained active in the community since his retirement. Wallace, a 42-year resident of South Lake Tahoe, said he had worked with several city managers. He enjoyed working with Jinkens.
Wallace said he believed that Jinkens had finished some redevelopment projects that had languished. Wallace said that things do not move quickly in the City of South Lake Tahoe because they have a regional government. He said Jinkens had helped reassert the autonomy of the city.
Wallace described Jinkens as “relentless” in following through on tasks. “He doesn’t take no for an answer,” Wallace said.
He also described Jinkens as polite and gentlemanly. Wallace said he would be sad to lose Jinkens from the community.
