AUBURN -- With less than two weeks until John Salomone's departure, the city council is still pondering who will take over as city manager.

Mayor Timothy Lattimore voiced his support of Michael Long, director of Capital Improvements and Grants.

Former councilor Robert E. Hunter pleaded with the council to consider a candidate with more experience supervising staff. Hunter, who has worked with four city managers, told the council to expect instability for three months to a year and a half.

"Good luck, you're in for some difficult times," he said.

Councilor David Dempsey requested a meeting to decide how to fill the void.

Next week, councilors will review advertisements councilor Matt Smith created. The posting asks for a candidate with experience in the private sector and with restructuring government.

A professor for Rockefeller University offered to post the ad for free, Smith said.

Some officials want to throw the net closer to home.

"There are so many brilliant people from around here," Lattimore said. "There might be one of those Auburnians or central New Yorkers who want to come home."

Read the full report in Friday's editon of The Citizen.