Forest Park council appoints Carl Gethin as city manager, director of public works resigns

The Forest Park City Council voted July 6 to appoint Carl Gethin as the city’s next city manager, with an anticipated start date of July 20. The council’s action followed a national recruitment led by Sumter Local Government Consulting that yielded a sole finalist after a semifinalist stage and the required 14‑day public posting.

The chief of staff, speaking for the interim city manager, summarized the recruitment timeline: the search firm and city staff launched sourcing in March, identified semifinalists in May, and completed finalist review in June. The chief of staff said the city would issue a formal press release and reiterated that the finalist’s start date was planned for July 20.

The chief of staff also announced that Public Works Director Alton Matthews submitted his resignation effective immediately and that Deputy Director Marvin Hines will work with staff to ensure continuity of operations in that department.

“There is effective continuity of operations,” the chief of staff said, naming Marvin Hines as the deputy who will help maintain Public Works services while recruitment or interim coverage proceeds.

Council members offered public thanks to Matthews for his service. In closing comments, several council members praised Parks and Recreation programs and highlighted upcoming community events tied to back‑to‑school efforts and neighborhood engagement.

What happens next: staff said a press release would be issued and the new city manager was expected to begin work on July 20. The council did not announce an internal timeline for filling the Public Works director role during the meeting.

(Attribution note: direct statements and the recruitment timeline were provided by the city’s chief of staff during the city manager’s report.)