If you are a manager, assistant manager or someone new to local government in NE Florida, there is a good chance you had the opportunity to meet and talk with Range Rider Paul Sharon.
Paul has been a Range Rider since 2008 following a deployment to Iraq as a Senior Advisor to Iraqi Local Government via ICMA. Paul dryly observed that there seemed little difference between dealing with some elected officials in Iraq than stateside except perhaps for the rather prominent display of side arms in Iraq. The problems and issues are similar and Paul was stationed in Iraq for two years bringing the institutions of progressive local government with him.
I’m very fortunate because I’ve known Paul since 1973 when he was a Village Manager in Illinois and I was starting my career in local government as an assistant. Back then, like now Paul had an open line and took every opportunity to help a young professional better understand the strange rituals of local government. I guess there was always a Range Rider in his soul. Paul went on to manage two towns in Illinois (Clarendon Hills and Lombard), Michigan (South Haven), two towns in Massachusetts (North Andover and Ashland) and completed his distinguished city management career in New Hampshire (Hudson).
All told, each town Paul served was blessed with the same even-tempered, patient approach, peppered with a wonderful sense of humor that made the serious business of local government more human. Paul carried this approach into his work as Range Rider and brought a common sense perspective to managers, assistant managers and staff he helped. He also fervently educated elected officials about the Council-Manager Form. Paul and Joan have relocated to Pennsylvania to be closer to their family. I know that the city and county management family will miss him very much. Thank you Paul.
Kurt Bressner, ICMA-CM
