A Villager who serves as Fruitland Park city manager appears to be shopping for greener pastures.
Gary La Venia, 63, is a finalist for the job of city manager in Treasure Island. He is one of four finalists for the position. The Treasure Island Commission hopes to make its selection on Nov. 3.
La Venia and the three other finalists will tour city hall and meet with department heads on Nov. 2. The public will also be able to meet the candidates that evening at a public reception.
La Venia, 63, was named city manager for Fruitland Park in 2013. His hiring came at a time when the Villages of Fruitland Park were about to be built.
“He is the right man for the job,” said then-Fruitland Park Mayor Christopher Bell said at the time. “We did our homework. He has managed a lot of growth in his career.”
La Venia previously served as township manager for Maple Shade, N.J. for three years and township manager for Riverside, N.J. for 18 years.
Another local name is also in the mix for the Treasure Island position.
Lee Niblock, 64, who most recently was county manager for three years in Alachua County, is one of the four finalists for the Treasure Island position. Previously, he was county administrator for Marion County for five years, and worked there in other positions for another six years.