Tom Ezdebski will be Next Ludington Treasurer

[XLFD]

At 1 PM this afternoon, the Personnel Committee met to interview potential Interim Treasurer candidates for the position opening up in July with current treasurer Linda Rogers retirement.  One hour later, it was learned that the only applicant was the person they interviewed over the past hour, Tom Ezdebski, and that the committee would recommend to the full council that Ezdebski be hired at the rate of $48,000 with a $3000 raise in four months of satisfactory performance, and the usual well-packed benefits the City offers.  

Ezdebski, (pictured above, with former Detroit Tiger pitcher Dan Petry's pitching hand on his shoulder) worked at the Memorial Medical Center (Spectrum Ludington) for 38 years, utilizing his Ferris State degree as a CPA in the payroll/accounting department.  The new management at Spectrum unceremoniously let him go, but he was picked up by Manistee's hospital, doing effectively the same work.

Citing transportation issues during inclement weather and a desire to stay in and serve the citizens of Ludington, Ezdebski applied for the position, expressing that he doesn't mind whether it's a substantial pay cut.  Tom and his wife Pat are well known around Ludington for volunteering their time and spirit back to the community.  He acknowledged that he had coached between 69 and 73 teams of one sort or another. 

They have ran the Lemonade Stands program and others devoted to combatting childhood cancer.  He was appointed in January of this year to the City's Recreation Board.   The three committee members, Brandy Henderson, Wallace Cain and Joe Lenius (the latter two appointed officials serving in elective positions) had a mostly favorable review of the candidate, and decided that they would not need another notice to get other interested applicants, pointing out the restrictive parts of the charter that mandates a treasurer has lived within the city limits for a year.

[AQUAMAN]

Not to be critical, but if he's got around 40 years service in already, means he's about age 60+ now. Funny time to start a new career, and the vacancy when he retires will be pretty soon I imagine.

[XLFD]

According to my research, Ezdebski is currently 61, but consider.  Richard Rathsack was 76 when he ran for councilor, Joe Lenius was appointed at the age of 71, Kathy Winczewski was 61 when she was elected, Kaye Holman was voted in as mayor at the advanced age of 76.  

His wife is seven years younger than him, and he indicated he would like to retire when she does.  That might be 8-12 years, which I believe is a good span for a city treasurer.  You don't want them to serve only a couple of years, but you don't want them to get too comfortable in the spot.  I doubt whether we could find a better treasurer candidate in Ludington, but I would still like him to get elected this November rather than serve 2.5 years without a popular mandate.

[Brad]

I agree completely.  I'd vote for him.  If no election can come about sooner then 2020, then we will have 2 years to survey his work.  Stay on top of it X.  Thanks!

[krazzz]

He is a great choice. While I don't know him well, I have worked with him on a few charity events and he is a genuinely good guy. 

[AQUAMAN]

I know it's not a huge deal but it seems strange to me anyhow that a man accepting a new job insists that his pay start at a higher level than what was offered. Instead of $48K/yr. he asked for $50K/yr.. Never heard of that or seen it happen with a job that was listed for a certain pay scale, esp. gov't., and then the city council approves it too right away, without any discussion. Lastly, if he is a genuinely good guy, and knows his duties, he's not going to last very long with Shyster Shay bossing him around nastily. Guessing when that time comes it may be less than 6-12 months.