By Jeremy Carroll
C & G Staff Writer

ROYAL OAK — City Manager Tom Hoover was ranked second out of four candidates for a city manager post in Florida after interviewing for the position recently.

Venice, Fla., selected Isaac Turner to be its next city manager over Hoover and two other candidates at a special meeting on Jan. 13, various media reports said.

“The recruitment company they hired told me I was a close second,” Hoover said. “I have no complaints. I did the best I could and all four candidates were very qualified.”

He said that as he had when he interviewed for other positions in Florida, he is keeping his options open.

“I’ve never stopped working hard for the city of Royal Oak,” he said.

Hoover was in Venice, Fla., from Jan. 8 through Jan. 10 conducting various tours and interviews.

Turner previously worked as the city manager of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Hoover, 61, who has been with Royal Oak for a little more than four years, interviewed for a position with Ocala, Fla., in June. He was named a semifinalist for that position, but was not interviewed as a finalist.

According to Internet searches, Hoover was also considered for a position with Deltona, Fla., in September and Ormond Beach, Fla., in October.

Hoover began his duties in Royal Oak on Aug. 2, 2004, replacing Larry Doyle, who retired after 20 years with the city. Hoover previously worked as a city manager for Worcester, Mass., from 1994 to 2004, and was also city manager for Toledo, Ohio, for three years.