Council overrides nepotism clause in charter
By Barb Pert Templeton
A unanimous vote of the Algonac City Council on July 18 approved the hiring of Nathaniel Doan as the new full-time assistant to the fire chief who just happens to be his dad, Joseph Doan.
Chapter 5 section 5-11 of the Marine City Charter has a nepotism clause that prevents the hiring of family members but there’s an exception to the rule if the city council unanimously overrides the clause and agrees to hire the individual.
In a letter to officials, Chief Doan stated that the council recently approved the hiring of one full-time employee for the fire department effective July 1, 2023. He said interviews were conducted July 5th, medical evaluations were July 6 and physical performance agility tests took place on July 8. Nathaniel Doan successfully completed all three aspects of the process.
“The importance of hiring from within should be noted as the candidate already works for the department, is familiar with all the policies and the equipment and (hiring from within) boasts moral,” Chief Doan wrote. “Nate Doan also lives in the city and therefore would be available for regular hours plus any emergencies after normal hours.”

The Algonac City Council was unanimous in its decision to override a nepotism clause in the city charter to hire Fire Chief Jospeh Doan’s son, Nathaniel Doan to a full-time position.
The department posted the job internally and they received two applications. The annual salary will be $45,500 plus call-back pay based on credentials
Background information provided stated that Nate Doan started as a cadet with the department in 2014, in 2015 he transferred to an on-call firefighter post. Since that time, he has completed all certifications and licenses while serving the community for the last 8 years.
The new position is Assistant to the Fire Chief. It came with the following minimum qualifications:
- Minimum five years on the fire service
- Fire Fighter I/II certification via State of Michigan
- Hazardous material operations certificate
- Medical First Responder EMD License
- Incident Command System (ICS) National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Rescue Task Force Qualifications (SCC)
- Must be fire entry-level certified with no restrictions
Each applicant was also subject to the following checks:
- An annual internet criminal history search
- An annual review of driving history. The department is notified promptly if any employee receives a moving violation.
- Every three years an extensive background check is required by the State of Michigan
A letter to the city council from Marine City Fire Chief Joseph Slankster was also included in the packet. Slankster helped conduct the interviews with both candidates and conducted the agility test that Nate Doan completed on July 8. Slankster stated that after the interview he was contacted by the second candidate for the position and told the individual was withdrawing their application due to medical issues.
“Nate Doan would be an excellent full-time firefighter for the city of Algonac. Nate is outgoing and very compassionate at what he does. I feel this is a great opportunity for him as well as the city to hire a loyal, dedicated young man to fill the position,” Slankster wrote.
Council asks a few questions
A motion to approve Nate’s hiring was made by Councilman Michael Bembas and it was seconded by several members of the council.
Council member Corey Blair said the city’s fire chief, Joseph Doan has done a phenomenal job for the city and so he thinks anyone related to him will 100 percent be doing a good job and he looked forward to everyone on council approving the request.
“Chief Doan can I ask you a question about discipline it might make it kind of difficult at Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Councilwoman Cathy Harris asked.
“Nate has served with the department for eight years, he already falls under the discipline of the city and it has not been an issue,” Doan replied. “And I think if you ask him or his brother, they get rode harder than any other member on the department.”
Bembas then noted that most of the council know Nate and “he’s a good young man” and then posed a few additional questions, which he characterized as asking them for the sake of transparency. He wondered who was on the hiring board doing the interviews for the position?
City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said the fire chief from Marine City and the police chief from Clay Township conducted the interviews.
“So, our Fire Chief Doan had nothing to do with the recommendation?” Bembas asked.
“Yes, that’s correct,” Gerstenberg replied.
Bembas then added that he supports Nate 100 percent and is glad Nate works in the community and there won’t be a 40-minute drive for him to get to the job.
Councilwoman Dawn Davey said she was pleased that they are able to promote someone internally from the existing department and that fact was “great.”
Having someone trained and qualified from within the existing department that can step up is a credit to Chief Doan and his work on behalf of the city, Bembas added.
Councilman Ray Martin said as he notes Nate has been a volunteer in the department for eight years and has taken all the necessary training and education so now the council has a chance to reward those actions.
Nate Doan was expected to begin his service to the department on July 19.