Galveston City Council on Thursday voted to approve a contract with Texas First Group and appointed Dorothy "Dottie" Palumbo as interim city attorney.
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Texas First Group is the organization that provides retired city officials for interim positions to governmental entities across the state.  Former interim city manager Tom Muehlenbeck was provided by that group. 

Two candidates for the position of interim city manager were interviewed by the city council at Thursday's meeting: Palumbo and former Galveston city attorney Herb Prouty. Listen: MP3 RealPlayer

“I am known as the type of person that can start in a project with my feet moving and solve complex issues, problems, and work well with other people,” said Palumbo, who served as city attorney and also assistant city manager for five years for the City of Highland Village and also served as assistant city attorney for the cities of Denton, Garland, Midland and Abilene.

Palumbo also has worked as an assistant city manager to Prouty, who spoke highly of her during his interview.

“I have served as city attorney or assistant city attorney in a number of cities, including, some 22 years ago, the City of Galveston,” Prouty said.  “So I’m somewhat familiar with your charter and your ordinances.”

Prior to the vote to contract with Palumbo, Mayor Joe Jaworski said both candidates were qualified, but he noted that Prouty was not available until he completes his current assignment.

“We feel that there are potential sharks in the Gulf waters surrounding our island on a number of issues,” Jaworski said, stressing the need to fill the position immediately.

Both motions at the special meeting were unanimous, with Mayor Pro Tem Linda Colbert and Steve Greenberg absent.

Photos by Alicia Cahill: Signing the contract with Texas First Group and Palumbo posing with Acting Human Resources Director Jose Sanchez.