Editor’s note: The Purcell Register continues a feature in which civic leaders and others will answer five questions. The following were answered by Deana Allen, city manager and former police chief of Lexington.
Q: What was the best part of being police chief?
A: Interacting with the public. Getting to know the people in the community and being able to help them. I thought I would bring that with me to the city manager side.
Q: What is the best part of your job now as city manager?
A: Being able to see how the city works as a whole. For 24 years, I saw how one department works. Now I have a full view of each department. It’s a unique opportunity.
Q: What are the differences in law enforcement and city management?
A: I think the difference for me is I am a problem solver and fixer. At the police department, I was a mediator and fixed everyone’s problem. Here I’m not a fixer for everyone anymore. My job now, I handle a lot of infrastructure problems and I try to be a fixer of those things now.
Q: What motivates you?
A: Interacting with the public.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A:Â I enjoy spending time with my 15-year-old daughter and husband. We ride ATVs together, go to the lake together. We enjoy swimming.
