Finalists for administrator job revealed

Charleston County announced the finalists for county administrator Tuesday.

The following were vying to replace Mack Canterbury in the county's top post:

-- Patrick Howard, county administrator for Marion County, Fla.

-- George Kolb, former city manager for city of Wichita, Kan.

-- Kathleen McKenzie, deputy county manager for Allegheny County, Pa.

-- Allen O'Neal, city manager for the city of Newport, Ore.

-- Michael West, city manager for the city of Dothan, Ala.

County attorney Joe Dawson released the names of the final pool of candidates after The Post and Courier filed a request under the state's Freedom of Information Act.

Howard's name was among the finalists, but he withdrew from consideration after an interview, County Councilman Joe McKeown said.

The law requires that in their search to fill an employment position, public bodies must release the names of the final pool of no fewer than three candidates.

Dawson has a long-standing policy of not talking to the media.

McKeown said 64 people applied for the position and it was "a good pool."

County Council has interviewed four of the five candidates and will interview the final candidate later this week, he said.

Council will decide its next steps after the final interview, he said, but he thinks there's a qualified administrator in the final group.

Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com.