An attempt by several village council members to hire a new Lake Orion Department of Public Works superintendent ‘from within? failed June 13.
Councilmen, by a vote of 4-2, picked Scott Baker, who was Plymouth’s Assistant Director of Municipal Services from 1997-October 2004.
Council members Tom Albert and Doug Dendel voted no to hiring Baker. ‘I would still feel more comfortable to take someone from within and also living closer,? Albert said.
Council members at the end of May decided to have Bruce Stallings, DPW Crew Chief, be interviewed for the position.
Stallings had not applied for the position earlier because he didn’t have a Michigan Department of Environmental water testing license, something that John Ranville, the retired DPW superintendent, did have.
Stallings told the council in May he was informed by the state he could apply for the license this fall.
Council president Bill Siver, who has been part of the interview process, said Stallings was asked the same questions the other candidates had.
‘Bruce has no administrative experience or setting budgets. He’s not familiar with the GIS system, computers and says he doesn’t like paperwork,? he added.
Siver felt if someone was hired that didn’t meet all the DPW qualifications, that work would have to be done by village administration.
‘I do believe in moving people up. They should be rewarded. This fellow (Stallings) had been doing the job for a whole year (since John Ranville retired),? Dendel said.
Siver was impressed with Baker’s credentials. ‘I think he could be groomed to step into JoAnn’s ( Van Tassel, current village manager) position. She’s not going to last forever. His qualifications will bring a lot to this town,? he said.
Councilman Harry Stephen, who was also involved in the interview process, felt the DPW needed to be improved.
‘This is not the DPW of Del Rose (a former DPW superintendent). It has to move forward. I don’t think the DPW has been up to snuff, even before Ranville retired,? he said.
‘I believe in promoting from within,? councilman Ken Van Portfliet said. ‘But I won’t promote an individual who doesn’t have the proper qualifications?.
Councilman Bob Hollenbeck wanted to try a person with new ideas.
According to Siver, Baker said he would be willing to move to the area.
Van Tassel told council members in May Baker left Plymouth because of budget cutbacks. ‘He chose to resign to save jobs of other workers,? she said.