Two candidates on the agenda for consideration
By Barb Pert Templeton
Apparently after seeking applications for the vacated city manager’s position in Algonac there were just two finalists for the job. A special meeting of the city council is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9 to interview the candidates.
On the afternoon of Monday Dec.8, the city finally released the names of the applicants and they are: former Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson and Kyle Harris, the interim city manager in Brown City, Michigan. The council is expected to conduct the interviews for city manager in the city chambers at 6 p.m.
The agenda on the city website states that there will be an opportunity for public comments followed by the interviews and then a discussion of the candidates.
There’s only one wrinkle in that announcement, an article in the Sanilac County News dated Dec. 3 claims Harris was offered and accepted a position as city manager in Brown City.
Former Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson.
Blue Water Healthy Living was able to reach Harris via email Monday afternoon and this was his response to the confusion:
While I have accepted a tentative offer from the City of Brown City, contract negotiations have not been finalized. That said, I did disclose early in the process with the City of Algonac that I was pursuing other opportunities aside from them. And when they invited me to a second interview, Brown City had yet to make an offer.
If the City of Brown City and I are able to come to an agreement prior to the interview, I will respectfully withdraw from the process. If not, I intend to appear before the council.
The retirement of City Manager Denice Gerstenberg, which was announced in September and became final on Nov. 27, prompted the search for her replacement. The council appointed Algonac Fire Chief Joe Doan as the interim city manager projecting he would work 10 hours a week in that capacity at a rate of $42.91 an hour.
At the city council’s most recent meeting on Dec. 2 Councilman Michael Bebmas used his council comments to encourage the public to attend the special meeting on Dec. 9.
“This is an important decision and it’s something that we’re going to have to live with so we want to make sure we make the best decision going forward.”
Algonac Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey
“This is extremely important,” Bembas said. “I promise you I will be 100 percent objective on who we interview.”
During her public comments Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said there will of course be total transparency in the pursuit of a new city manager.
“This is an important decision and it’s something that we’re going to have to live with so we want to make sure we make the best decision going forward,” Davey said. “We’re making progress and we won’t let that progress stop because of a popularity contest or because this person’s got a grudge against this person.”
Councilwoman Cathy Harris echoed Davey’s comments and said the council will use their due diligence, do what’s in the best interest of residents and remember, they live in the city too.
Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum asked what happens if the council, by a majority, doesn’t arrive at a candidate. Bembas said should that occur, the council can toss those candidates aside and simply advertise the opening in a wider area.
Candidates will be interviewed in the Algonac City Chambers located at 805 St. Clair River Drive at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The meeting is open to the public.
