Alachua's first female city manager
Born and raised in Alachua, city manager Traci Cain’s official one-year contract as the first female city manager of Alachua began Monday.
For her, it was just another day at the office.
Cain has been working for the City of Alachua for more than 18 years, starting out in a clerical position and serving in various departments within the city.
She started in the utility billing department, working her way up to supervisor, then serving as assistant city manager. She served as interim city manager previously, but said that her children were too young at the time and she didn’t feel that applying for the position as city manager was right for her then. Soon after, issues arose between her and the new city manager, Clovis Watson, Jr., and she was fired.
“When a new person comes in, there are going to be some changes,” said Cain. “But he [Watson] quickly realized … that he had made a mistake.”
When Watson called her to offer her a position in the city, she accepted and came back to serve as human resource director.
“I did love the position as human resource director,” said Cain. “It was a position that enabled me to really get to meet and know the employees from the very beginning, from the recruiting stage all the way up. You really get a feel for them and understand their commitment to the city and their dedication.
“I really enjoyed doing that. I love meeting new people and that’s probably been one of my favorite positions.”
Cain said it was rewarding to see the start of the department and to look back at its growth.
“It’s been just as rewarding to be able to watch the city grow professionally, as well as the growth within the city as far as development,” she said.
Cain credits others who worked in the city before her with easing her transition into office as the first woman city manager.
“Some people still look down on women, but not so much here,” she said. “I certainly don’t look down on people and I hope they don’t do the same for me.”
Cain hopes to continue guiding the city as it grows in diversity and in what it offers residents. “I have the vision for the city of Alachua to be a self-sustaining community,” she said, “for people to be able to work and play and live right here so they don’t have to go to Gainesville or somewhere else to live or get jobs.”
On the near-term horizon, she hopes to soon see a codification of ordinances enacted, which she said has been an ongoing project. Also on the list is the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Cain also expressed enthusiasm for the ‘Babe Ruth 12 and Under Girls’ Softball 2010 World Series’ to be held in Alachua in August, which is expected to bring in revenues to local businesses.
It’s a safe bet that regardless of what the future may hold for the City of Alachua, Cain’s place in the city’s history as its first female city manager is assured.