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Courtesy photo/left. NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera Frederick, at right. John Drago, former finalist for city manager in New Smyrna Beach and DeBary, is among six vying for the top job in Orange City. New Smyrna Beach tabbed Pam Brangaccio to replaced fired John Hagood last July, first as interim for six months and then permanently in January at an annual salary of $120,000.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Former city manager candidate John Drago is now a finalist for the same position in Orange City. Drago, former Longwood city administrator, was among the New Smyrna Beach City Commission's Top 4 candidates from a pool of nearly 100 last summer when then-Mayor Sally Mackay suggested the commissioners diversity the finalist since the final four were all white men. Pam Brangaccio was added.
She got the job after the final round of interviews. Drago, also a finalist for the recently filled city manager position in DeBary, meanwhile is among six finalists hoping for the top post in Orange City with a March 9 selection expected by the City Council.
Orange City appointed former Ormond Beach City Manager Eugene Miller as acting city manager last month after interim City Manager Chester Murray was fired over his handling of an ongoing dispute inside the police department regarding complaints by officers against a police lietenant, Gregory Melvin, who later resigned, along with Chief Jeffrey Baskoff.