Diamond Bar : Interim Manager Named

The formation of a local government moved closer to realization this week as an interim city manager went to work at Diamond Bar’s provisional city hall.

George Caswell, 68, was chosen last week by the City Council-elect to serve as interim city manager for three to four months, until a permanent successor is hired. Caswell, a La Verne resident, managed that city for 18 years and has also served stints as interim city manager of La Canada Flintridge and Fontana.

“He seemed to have a good ability to work with people,” Mayor-elect Phyllis Papen said. “Everyone we spoke to said good things about him and were very supportive of our picking him as city manager.”

Caswell started work this week at the city’s temporary headquarters--1,200 square feet of office space in the Gateway Corporate Center on East Copley Drive. Caswell’s first duty will be to assist the council-elect in choosing a city attorney.

The council-elect and Caswell will meet today at 1 p.m. with county officials to discuss contracts for county services. Although earlier council meetings had been closed to the public, drawing criticism from some residents, today’s meeting at the Diamond Bar Library will be open, Papen said.

Members of the public will be able to attend meetings between the council-elect and the county, but will not be able to participate or offer comments, Papen said. The council’s first official meeting is scheduled for April 18.