Q & A With Olivette's Acting City Manager, Myra Bennett

Myra Bennett, 43, is the Acting City Manager for the City of Olivette. She has worked in the public sector for 17 years, 8 of which with Olivette. The City Council appointed Bennett to the position when then City Manager Mike McDowell resigned to take over a similar position in Wentzville.

Bennett has two children, ages 11 and 16. They know their mom does not work the normal 9-5 job with night meetings and weekend duties. They understand in a lot of instances work duties come first. The Olivette Patch had a cup of coffee with Myra Bennett:

Olivette Patch: What are the specific duties outlined during this interim period?

Myra Bennett: “They asked me to run the day to day operation of the city, and make sure the (planned) projects are moving forward."

Patch: While you served as Olivette’s City Clerk, did you ever think about taking over the manager’s duties?

MB: We had discussed that. The city manager actually encouraged me to take some extra classes if I wanted to pursue this avenue. He (Mike McDowell) has my transcripts and he knows some of the things I’ve done in the past.”

Bennett started at Vinita Park as a temporary employee; became assistant City Clerk, City Clerk then Public Works Director.

Patch: Are you interested in becoming Olivette’s next City Manager?

MB: I haven’t decided at this point. I have talked with the staff about that possibility and at this point, I don’t know if I am going to throw my hat into the ring.”

Patch: How has the cooperation been from department heads?

MB: “We have a wonderful staff here. They do a lot of things that makes my job easy. When I ask for information, they are on top of things, knowing what goes on in their departments and updating me without even asking.”

Patch: Where is Olivette in the annual city budget process?

MB: “We are still getting a preliminary budget plan from each of the departments. Once those figures come in and are compiled, we will begin to discuss with the council in greater detail.”

Patch: What do you think it takes to be a good city manager?

MB: “Cooperation, not just with the department heads, but with the council and the public in general too."