(Middletown)--Middletown City Council says they are giving both assistant city managers an equal  chance to try out for the top job. That's why they have named Ashley Combs Acting City Manager, effective January 1st. Nathan Cahall, who has been serving as acting city manager since August, will return to the assistant city manager's job. Cahall took over after the sudden resignation of City Manager Paul Lolli, who later became a member of city council. Combs has been with the city the past nine years, starting as a planner.