Some will take the plunge; others will stand on the edge of the candidates' pool, flex their diving muscles and think about it.

But from this moment on, all members of the City of Hamilton's senior management team will be keeping a sharp eye on the evolving search to find a replacement for departing city manager Glen Peace.

The council steering committee tasked with hiring a headhunting firm, interviewing candidates and recommending a final choice met for the first time yesterday.

They hit the ground crawling. Not from any lack of enthusiasm, but because, as Councillor Tom Jackson notes, they want to get this right.

At this early stage, all they know for sure is they'll launch a comprehensive internal and external candidate search.

But while they're examining process options and costs -- should they hire a contract consultant for about $30,000 or a big agency for about $60,000? -- senior staffers are already weighing their chances of becoming this city's next top bureaucrat.

Scott Stewart, the highly regarded general manager of public works, is one of the few who isn't playing it safe.

Stewart says he's definitely throwing his hat in the ring.

"I think it's a good opportunity," says Stewart, who stepped into his current job in 2004 after heading up the waste management and capital planning divisions.

"I really like where Hamilton is situated right now. I'm sure there'll be other good candidates too."

He's got that right. Though the search will go cross-country, the city has bench strength of its own to draw on.

As expected, Joe-Anne Priel, general manager of community services and a recognized champion in the local fight against poverty, is on her toes. Priel isn't ready to commit yet, but she's obviously thinking about entering the competition.

"I'll know when I see the ad," she says. "I'm waiting to see what kind of person they're looking for."

Tim McCabe, the no-nonsense general manager of economic development and planning, is also waiting to see how things play out. "Time will tell."

Surprisingly, Joe Rinaldo, general manager of finance, hasn't ruled out applying either.

It's widely believed the ever dependable Rinaldo, who becomes acting city manager when Peace leaves at the end of June, is gearing up for retirement. But don't count him out too soon.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," Rinaldo says.

That's merely thumbing the playbook, of course. Observers fully expect other ranking staffers to either step forward or seriously bat it around.

The speculative list includes Chris Murray, the star staffer on the complex Red Hill Valley project and now director of the city's housing division, and Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the brainy medical officer of health.

And why not?

The job not only pays more than $200,000 a year in salary and benefits, it also packs prestige, responsibility and power.

It's the career pinnacle for municipal civil servants. It's the top of the leadership heap, the ultimate administrative challenge.

And if, as many believe, Hamilton is hovering on the verge of a renaissance, the next city manager may find themselves having more freedom of movement, financially and creatively, for guiding policies and day-to-day operations than any predecessor in recent memory.

It is, as Stewart says, a good opportunity.

It is, as Jackson notes, important to get it right.

If, however, the search committee gets it wrong, if they throw out too small a net or pick a weak candidate, it could cost this city precious recovery time.

For the record, the committee comprises chair Russ Powers, Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Jackson, Maria Pearson and Terry Whitehead.

Here's hoping their seats are all upright and in the locked position.

Andrew Dreschel's commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

adreschel@thespec.com 905-526-3495