Truc Dever — the woman hired to become Biddeford’s next city manager – told the Biddeford Gazette that she and her husband are excited about moving to Maine and have long referred to the state as their “forever home.”
The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Dever with a two -year contract that can be renewed.
During an exclusive interview with the Gazette, Dever said she is excited about coming to Biddeford, the city’s potential and the opportunity to be part of such a “warm and welcoming” community.
“I’m excited to lead this team of exceptional city employees and work alongside Biddeford’s council beginning this August,” Dever said. “From day one, my priority will be to engage and understand the needs of this community and immerse myself in Biddeford’s culture and history. “
Dever said that both she and her husband “love it here” and have been referring to Maine as their “forever home” for a long time. The couple owns a seasonal home here.
“When this position opened up, I jumped at the opportunity to come to southern Maine full-time,” Dever said. “There’s incredible opportunity in Biddeford— it’s well-situated between Portland and Boston, has sandy beaches and riverfront, has a rich and vibrant history, a diverse population, and untapped business development opportunities.”
Dever said those community assets “create the perfect formula to build on the momentum already underway in the city” to foster balanced growth and innovation in Biddeford.
From day one, my priority will be to engage
— Truc Dever, Biddeford’s new city manager
and understand the needs of
this community and immerse myself
in Biddeford’s culture and history. “
RELATED: City hires new manager
Dever said she grew up in a small suburb in southern California surrounded by agriculture, the dairy industry and state preserved open spaces.
“While my resume may reflect a career in highly urbanized areas, I understand the importance of sustainable growth, preservation of history, and maintaining a deep sense of identity,” Dever said. “Biddeford seems to embody these values, and it’s what drew me to the opportunity to serve as city manager.”
But it was more than just a good job and a chance to live in Maine that made Dever want to work in Biddeford.
“What also caught my attention when I interviewed in May was how genuine and welcoming the staff and council were,” Dever said. “I sat in the hallway at City Hall waiting for one of my interviews and was approached by no fewer than five staff asking if they could assist me with anything.”
Dever said that culture and community truly matter to her, especially when she was determining where she wanted to devote her efforts and energy.
“Those seemingly small gestures were a great indicator of staff who care about each other and every member of their community,” she said.
When asked about the challenges facing Biddeford, Dever said every new job offers its own challenges.
“What I know of Biddeford’s challenges is what I’ve read,” she said. “My plan is to quickly come up to speed on the work that is underway and the issues facing the city so that staff, the city council, and community members can tackle them together.”
As previously reported by the Gazette, Dever’s two-year contract calls for her to be paid $195,000 during the first year of her employment and $200,000 for the second year of her contract.
Dever will take over the helm at City Hall on August 11.
Dever’s full contract with the city of Biddeford can be viewed or downloaded below.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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