TRAVERSE CITY —
City commissioners dismissed transparency in favor of expediency and will turn to a private consultant to handle most of the search for a new city manager.
Commissioners voiced their support this week for hiring the Michigan Municipal League to screen applications and protect candidates' confidentiality. The commission will review resume summaries from confidential candidates and won't see full resumes until they hold a private, closed meeting with their consultants.
"I personally would not want to see every single resume ... and have to do my own independent assessment," said city Commissioner Barbara Budros.
Mayor Michael Estes also said he doesn't want to review 100 resumes.
City Manager Ben Bifoss will retire June 28. He recommended using the municipal league for their expertise and to get a stronger pool of candidates. He expects about half of all applicants to request confidentiality.
Commissioner Jody Bergman said she found "huge value" when looking at the 60-plus resumes submitted when the board hired Bifoss in 2008.
She also warned the commission it will have to be careful when putting together it's minimum requirements so the consultant doesn't screen out legitimate candidates. Bergman noted city attorney Lauren Trible-Laught fell short in one of the city's minimum requirements, but the commission still decided on her as its best candidate.
"I'm a little hesitant about what we won't see," Bergman said.
Jeanine Easterday objected to a commission-led search process.
"We lose candidates concerned about confidentiality," she said.
The public won't know the identities of applicants until the commission announces the finalists who have agreed to be interviewed.
Estes shrugged when asked about sacrificing transparency in the search process.
"I was happy with what we did when we hired Ben ... but I want to have someone hired before Ben leaves," Estes said.
Bifoss will present a contract to retain the municipal league at the commission's Feb. 18 meeting.
Region
Consultant to handle search for Traverse City manager
Mich. Municipal League hired to screen applications
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Bear sighted at Mancelona Middle School
Chad Culver, the school's principal, spied the large mammal on Monday about 9 a.m. when he looked out his window as he met with a teacher.
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Property owners sue over flooding
A group of Boardman River property owners filed a lawsuit over removal of the Brown Bridge Dam, saying their property values dropped when the river’s water levels rose.
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TCL&P may spend $15K on land it doesn't want
The city’s electric utility will spend up to $15,000 on a piece of property it hopes to never own — just in case public opposition foils its preferred location for an electrical substation.
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Teens admit to lewd elevator act
Traverse City police are investigating a report of sexual contact between two teens in a Traverse City Central High School elevator.
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Fired Munson clinic employee settles lawsuit
A former Munson Medical Center worker recently settled a lawsuit that alleged her civil rights were violated when she was fired from her job at an HIV-AIDS clinic.
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Free yard waste drop-off offered in Garfield
Garfield Township residents can dispose of yard waste for free starting later this month. No-charge waste passes will be available at Garfield Township Hall starting today through June 4.
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Forecast: More storms followed by cool temps
Meteorologists say to expect more severe thunderstorms coming through the Grand Traverse region.
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TC resident wins $5K Art Van Award of Hope
Cecilia Chesney, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, received $5,000 for her organization and was given the chance to compete for an additional $25,000 through the Art Van Charity Challenge.
Continued ... - Monday, May 20, 2013
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Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
Paul Shafer had questions for the drunk driver who killed his wife and mother of his three children. Did he know what it's like to take his children to a graveyard on Mother's Day? Did he know what it's like to have a young daughter ask, "'I don't have a mommy anymore?'"
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Severe weather possible this afternoon
The spring’s first severe weather could hit the Grand Traverse region today.
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Sewer rates likely to rise for city residents
City homeowners can expect their base sewer charge to jump over 6 percent beginning in July under a budget proposal before the city commission.
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Great weather draws thousands to NMC Barbecue
Mother Nature dished up a glorious day for the Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue, the college's annual fundraiser that attracts thousands to its wooded campus.
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A chance to learn about Peace Ranch
The Senior Center Network and Peace Ranch are partnering for a Spring Hoedown, with square dancing and live entertainment.
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Leelanau center upgrades old building
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is keeping stride with modern technology while maintaining the original vintage charm of its Old Art Building.
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Northern Notes: Visitor seeks car ferry photos for DVD
Frequent northern Michigan vacationer Ted Hayes has put his love for the area into poetry and song and is moving forward with his second DVD featuring the area.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
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New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
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Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
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Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
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Antrim officials make headway with meth convictions
Antrim County authorities answered a spike in methamphetamine activity with a series of arrests and convictions that they believe should send a message to meth producers and users.
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Benzie drug death leads to heroin charges
Authorities filed drug-dealing charges against a suburban Detroit man after a suspected heroin overdose death in Benzie County.
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Students recognized for math club performance
Thirty math-hungry East Middle School students recently made history. The group of seventh- and eighth-graders was the first at the school to achieve national gold level status for a club called MathCounts.
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Northbound Woodmere closed for two days
The city will shut down the northbound lanes of Woodmere Avenue from Eighth Street to Hannah Street for two days for maintenance of a city water line.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Powerball ticket buyers hopeful as jackpot swells
Garrick Opie hasn’t purchased a Powerball ticket in more than a decade. But a jackpot that swelled to $600 million — the world’s second largest lottery prize — by Friday afternoon convinced Opie to throw in $20 toward the $2 tickets at the 7-Eleven store on 14th Street.
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Co-worker of fired tribal employees: ‘They should have known better’
A co-worker of the six tribal employees who shot a .22 rifle off their office building deck alleged they endangered a nearby residence, potentially polluted Lake Michigan with lead bullets, and violated human resources policy.
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Jury: Local attorney committed fraud
A jury ruled a local attorney committed fraud and malpractice in a case of a business deal gone bad.
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Bear sighted at Mancelona Middle School
