After five hours of interviews and deliberation, Clarkston City Council selected two candidates for city manager at a special meeting, March 16. Carol Eberhardt of Clarkston and Andrew Potter of Ortonville will present on how they would approach the job and plans for the first hundred days of their employment at the council’s next regular meeting on March 25 at 7 p.m.
The council met five applicants this past Saturday and whittled their options down to only two candidates. One will replace Dennis Ritter, who has been serving in his current position as City Manager since 2008, announced his retirement to the public in January.
The city received thirteen applications for City Manager, and a selection committee made up of Ritter, Mayor Joe Luginski, Former Mayor Sharron Cattallo, and Councilman Eric Haven nominated four candidates for interviews.
‘It’s been a successful process,? Luginski said and thanked the selection committee.
They suggested William Delaney, Mark Angott, Carol Eberhardt, and Andrew Potter for interviews when the council met on March 11; however, Councilman Mike Sabol felt one more applicant needed to be considered. He requested candidate Debra Mozurkewich, former Northfield Township Supervisor, be added to the list interviewees.
‘Four years as a township supervisor is pretty good experience in my mind,? Sabol said. ‘I was fairly impressed by her resume,? Council member Tom Hunter added and Council member Peg Roth agreed.
‘It was not a real easy decision,? said Luginski about the process of narrowing the five interviewed down to two. ‘All of them had great experience in city government,? he added. ‘We felt the two we picked were the best candidates based on what we were looking for overall.?
In particular, Luginski said the council was seeking someone interested in historic preservation with budgeting experience, leadership qualities, and organizational skills.
‘Our biggest concern is just making sure we get the right person with the best qualifications and characteristics of what we’re looking for to be the City Manager,? Luginski said. ‘It’s a critical position,? he explained. ‘They run the city’s day-to-day business, and they are the face of the city to both residents and visitors.?
Because Eberhardt is also a member of the city council, she recused herself from selecting applicants, voting, and discussing the candidates? qualifications.
The City Council will vote on their choice for City Manager at the March 25 meeting. The candidate who accepts the position will begin working in mid-April once background and reference checks are complete.