@ Chronic

Unless you're our mayor or one of our council members, there's no telling what happened during the closed door discussion where Jelynne Burley and Marc Ott were picked as city manager finalists.

One of the semifinalists generating lots of interest was Rick Cole, the Ventura, Calif., city manager. With his penchant for New Urbanism, design, and Austin-esque "weirdness" (no other candidate served as marketing director for the Sunset Strip-housing West Hollywood), there was talk he might be a perfect fit for the people's republic. But all that ended last Thursday.

In his hometown daily, Cole says a little: "There is nothing like a journey to remind you what you cherish about home," he said. "I also came away inspired and energized about our challenges in Ventura."

Their gain or our loss?

Originally published Jan. 14 at austinchronicle.com/newsdesk.