Story by Eddie Zhou
Staff Writer
Photo by Katelyn Hernandez
Staff Photographer
City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe retired from South Pasadena effective Saturday, Sept. 12. Fire Chief Paul Riddle has assumed the position of acting City Manager until the City Council appoints a permanent one.
DeWolfe has been at the center of intense scrutiny over the management of the City and its finances. During her tenure, the City has gone through five Finance Directors, and discrepancies were found between the proposed budget approved by the Finance Department and the one submitted to the City Council.
“I am very pleased that Stephanie DeWolfe is no longer City Manager,” South Pasadena resident Ron Rosen said. “I have been calling for her removal for over two years. Her administration was characterized by autocratic leadership and lack of transparency.”
No formal reason was given for DeWolfe’s retirement. Riddle will lead the city’s COVID-19 response with the City Council’s direction while the city searches for a new City Manager.
“The city will begin the recruitment process, which usually takes several months, for a new City Manager, and will likely appoint an interim City Manager during the recruitment process so that the Fire Chief can return his full attention to his critically important duties,” the City said in a press release on Sunday, Sept. 13.
