Derby’s new deputy city manager, Kiel Mangus, is getting reacquainted with the city.
Mangus grew up in Mulvane, so he’s familiar with the area, but after being away for a number of years, especially with all the rapid, recent development, it’s a different place.
“It’s a good, growing community, but you leave and it changes,” said Mangus, whose first name is pronounced “Kyle.”
Mangus started in the job – which is a new position – Nov. 19 and since then, he’s been touring Derby, meeting citizens, council members and department heads.
The meetings include top school officials, along with DRC leadership. He’s also met with the police and fire chiefs.
“Very professional operations with both,” he said of the city’s first responders.
His takeaways include realizing the changes along Rock Road as well as new civic features.
The parks, including the recently opened Warren Riverview, and other resources, such as the library, help Derby offer a solid quality of life.
And while it doesn’t have a traditional downtown like other cities he’s worked in, by investing in park and community events such as the barbecue festival, Derby has its own attributes, he said.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
