TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City Light & Power's interim executive director will get first crack at taking over the job full-time.
The Light & Power board spent an hour this week debating qualities it wants in a new executive director as the board prepares for a national search to replace Ed Rice, whom the board fired in October.
But some members, led by city Commissioner Jim Carruthers, spoke against hiring a national head-hunting firm that could cost the utility up to $45,000. Carruthers suggests relying on city staff, with assistance from a local human resources firm. No votes were taken, but the board indicated a desire to look locally first.
"We far too often look outside and assume we don't have quality internally or in the community," said John Taylor, board member. "I think we want to give people locally a chance; that would be the right thing to do for the brand of Traverse City."
The board instructed its search committee to first meet with Tim Arends, the interim executive director, along with any other internal candidates to determine if the job could be filled.
Questions were raised if Arends, the utility's financial controller, had the technical background for the job.
The board listed among its required qualities strong communication and good management skills, while technical expertise was considered secondary.
The board won't take any action until after it receives a draft report from a firm studying its management structure. Taylor said the committee doesn't want to advertise the position and discover the utility lacks a specific area of expertise it needs to move ahead.
The board expects the report in four to six weeks.
Region
Traverse City utility to look internally for opening
Board prepares for search to replace Rice as director
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Presidential Scholar has struggled with illness
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Man said to trade drugs for sex
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Car crashes into rocks near house
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Local educators honored
The Outstanding Educator Award, sponsored by the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and TBA Credit Union, is given annually to a handful of public, private and parochial educators in the Grand Traverse region.
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Man enters guilty plea in assault
A man accused of beating his live-in girlfriend in East Bay Township pleaded guilty to assault charges.
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Memorial Day-related services in Traverse City region
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Clearing the Record: 05/23/2013
Because of a clerk’s error, an incorrect address was listed in a news brief in the Sunday Record-Eagle.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Traverse City steps up parking enforcement
Barb Meredith recently had an expensive downtown Traverse City breakfast, but not from anything on the restaurant’s menu.
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Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders of the GOP majority in the Legislature reached a budget agreement Tuesday for next fiscal year that doesn’t include an expansion of government health insurance for low income-adults and puts Michigan’s unexpected surplus toward funding roads and K-12 education.
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TCAPS contract talks continue
Traverse City Area Public Schools educators picketed outside the district’s main office building in a display of opposition to TCAPS administrators’ proposed collective bargaining contract.
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Panera Bread is on its way
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Woman retraces father's steps to Indian marker trees
Dennis Downes traveled 200,000 miles over three decades, a journey to locate Indian trail tree markers around the Great Lakes, including two in Traverse City – one at the Civic Center and another at a Washington Street residence.
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Police looking into assault find 960 pot plants
Investigation into a domestic assault complaint led Antrim County authorities to a "sophisticated" marijuana grow operation and nearly 1,000 plants.
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Man gets prison for heroin possession
An Antrim County man found in possession of about 20 packets of heroin will spend at least 18 months in prison.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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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
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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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