Article Launched:09/17/2006 12:08:00 AM PDT
Councilman leaves San Anselmo position for Fairfax
Joe Wolfcale

San Anselmo Councilman Ian Roth is stepping down from his council post to take a new job at Fairfax Town Hall.

Roth, who will celebrate his 40th birthday Wednesday, also is leaving his administrative services manager job with the county to accept the position of finance director for the town of Fairfax.

"I think it was the cleanest thing to do," Roth said. "It was a way to send a clear message I'm on the side of administration. I saw it as an opportunity to marry my day job with my passion for public service. I'll still be involved (in San Anselmo) as a resident and citizen."

Roth, who was elected to the council last November, will begin his job with Fairfax Oct. 9, Town Manager Linda Kelly said.

Roth's departure from the Town Council was bittersweet. He discussed his options with Kelly and San Anselmo Town Manager Debbie Stutsman Wednesday and decided to give up his seat on the council.

Staying on the council, he said, "wouldn't be fair to those who voted for me."

San Anselmo will have 30 days from the date of his departure to appoint someone to fill his seat on the council or call for a special election, which typically would be more expensive, Stutsman said.

"I have the deepest respect for the council I worked with," Roth said. "I called them all and told them personally. It's really hard to leave. The new job will be a huge challenge."

Stutsman said Roth's short tenure on the council nevertheless was impressive.

"Ian hit the ground running here and brought a fresh perspective to the council," Stutsman said. "He had an excellent impact on the council. We'll really miss him and we sure wish him the best."

San Anselmo Mayor Barbara Thornton said, "The council will be sorry to lose the energy and enthusiasm that Ian brought to the council."

Roth replaces Fairfax finance director Winston Williams, who was fired last July after being on the job four months. Roth's salary will be $91,350 a year.

Kelly said Roth's background made him stand out among the 12 applicants for the job.

He holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and will soon earn his master's in public administration from San Francisco State University.

Roth began his employment with the county of Marin eight years ago.

He has served as administrative services manager of the Community Development Agency, managing a $12 million budget and handling all financial and administrative aspects for a 90-member staff.

During the mid-1990s, Roth served as a volunteer with Fairfax and produced a 25-year analysis of the impact of Proposition 13 on Fairfax.