South Gate City Council Says Farewell to City Manager

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Last Tuesday, George Troxcil, South Gate’s current city manager, attended his last council meeting before getting ready to retire at the end of December.

“[Troxcil] has done tremendous work for the city over many years,” said South Gate Mayor Bill De Witt to Patch during the brief farewell refreshment pause given as a result of Troxcil's departure. “He has real integrity and has served our city really well.”

Troxcil began his career as a South Gate police officer in 1969, and retired in 2000,  after having served as the South Gate Police Department’s (SGPD) chief of police.

However, in late 2009 Troxcil came out of retirement to serve as South Gate’s interim police chief when Vincent Avila, the cief at the time went on sick leave.

Troxcil was appointed as chief of police again in January 2010, when Avila was unable to return. The former eventually stepped down from this position on December 2011.

Troxcil was later appointed interim city manager on February 2011, after the departure of the former city manager, Ron Bates.

Troxcil was again awarded the city manager position on January 2012, while the council looked for a permanent candidate to replace him. The latter was done because of work limitations that are given to public administrators who have previously retired and entered the California Public Employees Retirement System.

Unexpected departures, a difficult economic climate and important city projects led the majority of local officials to believe that continuity in leadership was appropriate. Troxcil was seen by the South Gate city council as someone who possessed the right skill set and that could provide stability.

“We needed continuity,” said longtime South Gate councilmember, Henry Gonzalez, in an telephone interview with Patch. “We were in a critical time.”

Even South Gate councilmember who admitted to being initially against the idea of allowing Troxcil to serve as city manager, gave praise to the departing chief executive.

“I was the most outspoken person and critic of George Troxcil, for trying to bring him onboard,” admitted Morales during Tuesday’s city council meeting. “I remember saying [that] we needed to bring people with experience in negotiating developments.”

Morales told the audience that he originally believed that Troxcil’s executive experience as chief of police would not translate well to that of a city manager. He ultimately became a supporter of Troxcil, and praised him for his role in bringing the azalea retail project.

 “You took issues that you never dealt with, but because of your leadership abilities you took it to a different level," said Morales to Troxcil."You brought a project to our city that is going to take us to the next step.” 

The Azalea Retail Project, a $80 million mall that is being constructed near the intersection of Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, is considered by Troxcil to be his most challenging and rewarding memory as city manager. 

“I was not as knowledgeable as others in that particular area of development, I had to do a lot of learning and I had to do it quickly,” said Troxcil to Patch in a short interview during the refreshment pause. “But now as I drive by the big billboard, with all the signs and all the business that are coming, it brings a smile to my face.”

the former city manager of Burbank, was chosen to replace Troxcil last September. Troxcil will officially leave his post on December 27, but the transition has already begun.

“[Flad] is actually in and working now,” said Troxcil. “We are doing the crossover.” 

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