Hastings searching for new administrator, locals look back at previous administrator's emails

HASTINGS, NE - The City of Hastings is moving forward with its search for a new city administrator, while many citizens are looking back at what might have led to the former administrator's resignation.

Via a public records request, Brandy St. John of Hastings obtained hundreds of emails between resigned administrator Dave Ptak and his predecessor Joe Patterson. She has gradually released screenshots of the emails in a private Facebook group. Many commenters have taken exception to a perceived lack of professionalism and the quantity of emails that didn't pertain to city business.

Our news partners KSNB Local 4 talked to Mayor Corey Stutte.

"I think it's become rather apparent since Dave Ptak resigned that there was a culture problem here at the city administrator level," Stutte said. "We're really looking to turning the page on that and looking forward to going out and conducting a search for a new city administrator here."

Stutte says the city hired recruiting firm Baker Tilly to search for the right person to fill the administrator role. He expects the hiring process to take three or four months.

KSNB Local 4 contributed to this story