BREWER, Maine — When Brewer City Clerk Howard Kroll decided to take a job as Auburn’s new assistant city manager, there was one person city leaders knew could easily step in and fill his shoes — Deputy City Clerk Pam Ryan.

The City Council accepted Kroll’s resignation on Friday and he, as a dedimus justice, swore in Ryan as the community’s fifth city clerk.

“I start on Monday,” Kroll said of his new job working alongside Auburn City Manager Clinton Deschene. “I’m looking forward to meeting the employees, citizens, the city councilors and getting to know the people and what Auburn has to offer and how I can improve that.”

Kroll worked for Brewer for nearly 11 years, four as assistant city manager. He was appointed city clerk in March 2007.

“I have seen the city transform over this period and we all should be very proud of our accomplishments,” Kroll said in his resignation letter.

Mayor Jerry Goss said he is sure Kroll will take what he learned in Brewer to his new post.

“Auburn is destined to start to look a little more like Brewer,” he said, getting a round of laughter from those in attendance. “Auburn is extremely lucky. My advice to you is just be Howard. That will carry you as far as you want to go.”

“We’ll miss you,” City Manager Steve Bost said. “He did a great job.”

Arthur “Archie” Verow preceded Kroll as city clerk. Verow, who now sits on the City Council, served in the post for 40 years. He was hired in 1967 at the age of 24, succeeding Paul Clish, who served from 1938 to 1967. Before that, Mary Burr was Brewer’s city clerk from 1910 to 1937.

Kroll, a 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, served one year in Iraq during 2008-2009 and currently is a Navy reservist.

Kroll didn’t get out the door without a little ribbing from the City Council. Councilor Larry Doughty reminded him he now has to deal with nine councilors, instead of just five, which spurred Goss to chime in: “It will take nine to match this five.”

Ryan has already found a person to fill her shoes, and that nomination will be on the next City Council agenda.

A copyright article from the Bangor Daily News by Nok-Noi Ricker