Dispatch from Loveland

Reporter Jane Prendergast filed this report from Loveland:

Tom Carroll officially got the Loveland city manager’s job on Tuesday night, but not without a few harsh words from the guy sitting next to him.

Carroll, interim city manager since his predecessor left last fall and assistant city manager before that, came out on top of a nationwide search for a new city leader. A committee of officials and citizens – including this year’s Valentine Lady - narrowed the list of candidates from more than 50 resumes to three, then to one – Carroll.

Mayor Rob Weisgerber sent out a press release a couple of weeks ago, saying it was his intention to hire Carroll.

But when the hiring came up for an official vote on Valentine’s Day in the city of love, Councilman Paul Elliott didn’t show Carroll much love at all.

Elliott said he voted no “respectfully’’ and said he wasn’t sure Carroll should’ve been everybody else’s first choice.

Councilman Dan Daly chimed in, saying Elliott’s comments were disrespectful to the hardworking citizens who spent time on the selection committee. He pointed out that Elliott hadn’t attended any of the committee’s meetings and said he was disgusted.

Vice Mayor Joe Schickel said was “happily voting yes’’ and that he “couldn’t be more pleased with our selection.’’

Carroll got the $89,000 Valentine’s Day present, 6-1.