AUBURN - After less than a day in Auburn, the new city manager found himself in an exciting city “with a lot of potential,” he said.

Tuesday was Mark R. Palesh's first day at Memorial City Hall, but he's no stranger to upstate New York. He was born in Buffalo and served as city manager in Niagara Falls for six years.

The retired Air Force Reserve officer spent his time meeting city employees, department heads and Cayuga County and state officials.

Improving residents' perception of Auburn and city government in general tops Palesh's list of priorities.

“Any negativity came from people not pulling together,” he said. With the new leadership, the council and city leaders can overcome this problem, he added.

“People don't run for election to do a bad job,” he said.

Palesh aims to make Auburn a city anyone would be proud to call home, he said.

“I want to make sure Auburn is the example, not the exception,” he said, in regards to quality service. He also wants to improve residents' views of the inner workings of city hall to combat their “jaundice view of government.”

He replaces former City Manager John Salomone who resigned in August 2006 to serve in Newington, Conn., as town manager. Michael Long took the position on an interim basis, which he officially traded in Tuesday to again work full-time as director of capital projects and grants. Long assisted Palesh in becoming acquainted with the community and city hall.

The Auburn City Council pulled together a committee of community leaders to review the 35 applicants and interview them over the phone in December. Councilors then selected Palesh after they conducted personal interviews with the top four candidates.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net