Former Assistant City Manager Dorothy David assumed her position as the new Champaign city manager Saturday, the first to be appointed in 28 years, as well as Champaign’s first female city manager.
David became Champaign’s Neighborhood Services Director in 1994 and was promoted to assistant city manager in 2007, under former City Manager Steve Carter, before taking over as the new city manager.
She said the transition was not difficult because she is still working with the same group of people.
“I love this community,” she said. “Working with the people that I work with who are great professionals, who are committed to public service, makes the job easy.”
As city manager, David will be in charge of Champaign’s daily administration, serving the elected city council. David said she has an advantage because of the time she has already spent serving Champaign. In addition to being city manager, she is part of the Legacy Project Group, which works to promote and advance women in government.
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Since 1980, the percentage of women in government positions has been low, and the group is working to increase this total, she said.
“I bring all of my strengths and trades and perspectives to the office, and I always have,” David said. “I think diversity from all angles is really important.”
David said she will be cooperating with other governmental organizations, including the city of Urbana, Champaign county and the Village of Savoy, on economic development and transportation systems.
“There is no way to do local government, particularly in the community like Champaign-Urbana, without having strong intergovernmental relationships,” David said.
While managing administration is one of the city manager’s responsibilities, Mayor Don Gerard and the city council decide on the city’s priorities and visions. The city manager is then responsible for implementing these goals.
David said she is looking forward to working on several developmental construction projects in downtown Champaign and on campus.
“Every day there’s a new challenge,” David said. “I may think I know exactly what I’m (going to) do today, but what we’re (going to) do today is work on whatever issues present themselves in the community.”
Earn can be reached at [email protected]
