Deutsch bids farewell during final Cambridge City Council meeting

CAMBRIDGE - For the second time in two years, David Deutsch is departing the interim helm of city government, having also helped secure a new city manager and planning director.

In 2022, Deutsch had served a stint as Cambridge City Manager while also undertaking a successful search for City Manager Tom Carroll, who resigned in April 2024.

As Deutsch officially bid farewell during his final Cambridge City Council meeting on Aug. 26, he announced that newly hired City Manager Glenn Steckman will be starting his position on Sept. 4. Deutsch also welcomed the newly arrived City Planning Director Brian Hermann, whose tenure began that day.

Hermann, who came to Cambridge from his most recent positions in Crystal River, Florida, and Beaufort, South Carolina, expressed thanks and excitement to council members.

“My wife and I are thrilled to be here; we are both amazed at your beautiful downtown and historic district in your great city of Cambridge. I appreciate you all welcoming me here,” Hermann said.

During a follow-up interview, Deutsch indicated that he would be staying on through Sept. 6 to assist in familiarizing Steckman with city matters.

Deutsch gave thanks to Assistant City Manager Brandon Hesson for “being a great ally,” and to the rest of the city staff.

“I enjoyed the time here, and I’m glad to hand it off, but will always have a warm place in my heart for Cambridge,” Deutsch said.

Mayor Stephen Rideout commended Deutsch for his assistance during a vital time.

“Thank you for all your hard work, for keeping us out of trouble, for your guidance, your leadership, and for finding Mr. Steckman,” Rideout said, adding that he had “very much enjoyed” collaborating with him.

Council President Lajan Cephas added her appreciation.

“Thank you so much David for filling in the gaps, we all wish you well, and look forward to your returning, but to visit,” she said.

“And welcome to Mr. Brian Hermann, here is your canvas,” Cephas said.

Commissioner Brian Roche told Deutsch “thank you for keeping the wheels on the bus,” adding “We look forward to your return,” Roche said, next time as a valued friend of the City, hopefully for a ribbon cutting.

Speaking virtually from Baltimore, Commissioner Sputty Cephas added, “Thank you, David, for your time in Cambridge.”

In a follow-up phone interview, Deutsch shared his view that “once again, Cambridge is moving forward,” noting the arrival of Hermann and Steckman, in addition to Finance Director Perry Peregoy who began his role in March.

He offered additional thanks to cty staff and especially Hesson, saying he had been “blessed with great assistance.” Deutsch commended Hesson’s tremendous knowledge of the city as a beneficial resource, noting that he’d been performing additional “yeoman’s work” while also performing his own duties.

Deutsch is well familiar with the work of government operations gleaned during the three positions he held during his own lengthy career in government management prior to retiring in 2016.

“I’ve been doing this for about 50 years now,” Deutch said, noting his 23-year tenure as City Manager of Bowie, Maryland.

Deutsch was able to draw on that experience during Monday night’s meeting, while advising Cambridge Council on requesting a potential TIF (Tax Incentive Financing) document from the city’s legal counsel with Cambridge Harbor plans beginning to move forward again.

In researching comparative information from other municipalities, Deutsch provided specific details from Bowie, which had a policy in place for about a dozen years, and was only used for a single project, he said.

Deutsch explained that measures to help secure financing for the project differed from typical .

"To position the city to be able to seriously consider such a move, we need a policy document in place,” he said.

Bowie’s experience pointed to the preference of such a document be in the form of a resolution, which would require public scrutiny and comment but be less rigorous and time consuming that other measures.

“Various policies we reviewed we would have an application process including an outside financial advisor, typically engaging a bond council for legal assistance. If you endorse the creation of the policy, it will come back to the Council for approval,” he said.

“If CWDI and a developer come to you to request a TIF, you can say here is the process, then sit with them and make sure all the elements are proper and in place so folks on city staff can advise the mayor and council properly."

Based at his home in Ocean Pines, Deutsch plans to continue in his role as Senior Associate for The Mercer Group headquartered in Athens, Georgia, which provides management consulting for federal, state, and local government, health care providers, transit authorities, and utilities.

Deutsch is currently working on two active administrative searches for Prince George’s County, Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia.

While often working independently, Deutsch expressed appreciation for the ability to also work in partnership with what he called “a great group of colleagues.”