By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is singing the praises of City Manager Tim Gleason, who faces the task in the coming days of hiring the city’s next police chief.

Renner believes either of the finalists, Assistant Bloomington Police Chief Dan Donath or Parkland College Chief and retired Illinois State Police Captain William Colbrook, would be a solid pick.

Bloomington’s city manager-form of government works fine, according to Renner, even though elected leaders don’t have much of a say in key appointments.

“Tim Gleason is a marvelous city manager,” said Renner.

“I certainly trust him. I trust his judgment. Things will work well, and you will make stuff happen if you’ve got a good city manager,” the mayor said.

Under the current system, Bloomington’s mayor and council members appoint only the city manager and city clerk. The city manager is responsible for other hirings, but Renner said Gleason has kept elected leaders informed about the status of the chief’s selection process.

“Certainly as it happens, and the process unfolds, the city manager keeps us informed about what’s going on; the candidate pool, etc., at each point,” Renner said.

“Obviously, you’re not going to go too far astray from your nine council members, plus mayor, your 10 bosses.”

Before becoming a city manager, Gleason spent 21 years with Pekin Police, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant.

Gleason intends to make his choice for police chief early next week.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]