J. Scott Miller, New Port Richey's city manager since November 2004, said he has family in Ohio and just wanted to see what would happen if he applied for the Middletown City Manger position. And according to Interim City Manager Steve Husemann, Mr. Miller has made the first cut.

Photo: J. Scott Miller - Gulf High School News

Neither the New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton, nor Deputy Mayor Ginny Miller (not related) knew Miller applied for the Middletown, Ohio city manager position.

"It surprises me," Tipton said. "My feeling is he's done a great job in the city, and I'd hoped he'd continue along."

"I'm happy where I am," said J. Scott Miller, 57. "I'm exploring opportunities. I know that area up there."

"It's a big city," he said of Middletown. "I don't know what my chances are."

Miller has been credited with helping make City Hall an easier place to do business. He has presided over the construction of the new recreation and aquatic complex. He and Tipton, both avid motorcyclists, helped start the annual Cotee River October Bike Fest. (Source: St. Petersburg Times)

He received high marks in an evaluation last year by the City Council and makes $109,725 a year.

Miller is one of nearly 30 people who applied for Middletown's city manager position.

9 candidates made the list include:

• William P. Barlow, village manager of Winfield, Ill. He is a former city manager of Xenia and Sidney.

• Michelle L. Bowens of Amherst. She is the finance/budget director at Cleveland State University.

• Judith A. Gilleland, city manager of Pickerington. She was Centerville's assistant city manager and a former assistant to Lebanon's manager.

• Mark R. Henne, city manager of Bluefield, W.Va., and in two Virginia towns.

• Odis Jones, of Pickerington. He is president of Apple Development LLC; former city manager of Centralia, Ill.; and managing director of the Columbus Urban Growth Corp.

• James A. Marquette, administrator of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

• John Lewis McCurtain, town manager of Speedway, Ind., an Indianapolis suburb.

• J. Scott Miller, city manager of New Port Richey, Fla. He's been city manager of six other cities.

• Robert A. Schaumleffel Jr., city manager of Creedmoor, N.C. He is the former city administrator of Marysville, Ohio, and three other municipalities.

The next step in the process is for the current and next city councils to cut the list to the final three to six candidates on Nov. 7.

Middletown city staff will set up interview times for the weekend of Nov. 17-18, as well as conduct background checks on the finalists.

An 18-member citizens committee, will then make its recommendation to the current and new councils. The old and new councils will also meet the candidates.

A final decision could be made as early as Nov. 20.