PERSONAL GLANCE* Name: Hardie Stulce* Occupation: Soddy-Daisy city manager* Education: Associate's degree from Chattanooga State Community College* Work experience: Norfolk Southern railway worker, Soddy-Daisy Fire Department since 1972, including stints as volunteer firefighter, captain and fire chief; also worked for the Soddy-Daisy Police Department as dispatcher and patrolman.* Family: Son of Arnold Stulce Sr., former state representative, and brother of Arnold Stulce Jr., Red Bank city attorney.
As a native of Soddy-Daisy, Hardie Stulce has served in almost every city department.
"He's been everything," City Recorder Sara Burris said.
His resume includes stints as a patrolman and dispatcher for the city police department, chief and captain of the fire department and city manager -- twice.
After serving as the city manager 10 years ago, Mr. Stulce was reappointed to the vacant position in July. He said he knew the job would present bigger challenges in the second round.
"The biggest project that I had personally was trying to gain the trust of the employees," Mr. Stulce said.
Former city manager Janice Cagle resigned in February 2009. According to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives, city commissioners pressed her to leave after she intervened in a traffic stop of Mayor Gene Shipley's uncle.
"There was a lot to be done when Hardie stepped in," Mr. Shipley said.
The city has tried to move on, and the board of commissioners is pleased with the work Mr. Stulce has begun, Mr. Shipley said.
"He's one of those people who's going to do a good job," he said. "He's going to live here the rest of his life."
Born in Soddy-Daisy, Mr. Stulce has a family history in local politics. His father, Arnold Stulce Sr., is a well-known political figure as a former state representative, while his brother, Arnold Stulce Jr., is now the Red Bank city attorney.
Hardie Stulce started working for Soddy-Daisy when he was 17, volunteering with the fire department. Now he manages an $8 million budget and oversees all the city's departments.
Mr. Stulce said he's got a project list "as long as my leg" and is trying to snag state and federal money to help with costs, he said.
One is a bridge across a railroad track at Harrison Lane, the city's shopping district. The multimillion-dollar project will need support from the state. He's meeting with the Tennessee Department of Transportation next month, he said, adding that he's not sure exactly how much the project will cost.
He also wants to begin finishing a park that was started when he was in office 10 years ago. The park was subleased to the city and officials began a four-phase project, he said.
"It got to phase one and that's as far as it went," he said. "I'd like to see it picked back up and completed."
The original designs include a swimming area, six to eight picnic shelters and five fishing piers, he said. City officials will study the project to determine the next step.
Mr. Stulce says he's not sure how long he'll be in the job this time, but he hopes to stay long enough to see his projects in Soddy-Daisy finished.
"I would like to stay here until I can retire," he said.