John Shay Tiptoeing to the Tulips?

[XLFD]

Ludington City Manager John Shay has had a secret over the last month or so.  According to the 1-2-2018 Holland Sentinel article, the position of township manager for Holland Township was being advertised in order to find somebody to replace their current manager who announced his May 2018 retirement in November. 

The position was advertised for $110,000 to $140,000 and included responsibilities such as implementing policies, developing and administering the annual operating budget and capital improvement plan and managing operational and project improvement contracts, among other things.  The township was looking for proven fiscal management skills and working knowledge of laws and ordinances, with a degree in public administration or related field required.

Sometime before February 6, John Shay had not only applied for the position, but had also been interviewed for the position along with six other of the 32 people that applied for the position by the township's selection committee.  A 2-6-2018 Holland Sentinel article noted that they also planned on holding the final interviews in private, wouldn't share the names of the two finalists, and would only reveal their names when they make a recommendation to the board of trustees after the interviews.

The Holland Sentinel made an observation based on open government principles:  According to the Open Meetings Act, a closed session can take place to review the contents of an application for employment to a public office only if requested by the candidate. However, “all interviews by a public body for employment or appointment shall be held in an open meeting.”

Continuing:  "Though the township is using a search committee, that search committee has been given the authority to select finalists; this requires that committee to comply with the Open Meetings Act, even though it might not necessarily be a quorum — or minimum number of members present — of the public body, according to the OMA. There is also a prohibition on deliberately forming a sub-quorum in order to avoid the OMA."

The township's spokesman said both candidates requested privacy as they are both employed and “have concerns about the word getting out at this particular point in time.”

A 2-11 Holland Sentinel article notes that township officials reversed their opinion, being that their proposed method would likely have been found unlawful by the OMA.  Holland Township officials would hold interviews for the remaining township manager candidates that are open to the public. 

The next day's Holland Sentinel 2-12 listed the two candidates, one being the beleaguered city manager of Ludington (above right), the other, a local candidate, Steve Bulthuis (above left), executive director of the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council.  The article notes they received information on the two and their identities from their use of another tool of open government, the FOIA request.  Public interviews will take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the township hall, 353 N. 120th Ave. The township manager is appointed by the board of trustees.

It should be noted that the prior meeting by the selection committee held at an undisclosed location on an undisclosed date where they interviewed the six candidates in a secret meeting in order to whittle the field down to six, the committee was deliberating about and deciding who would make the cut.  That appears to be clear a violation of the Open Meetings Act.

John Shay may have found his future home, one that seems to comport itself like his old home, but at least the area's news media may act responsible in keeping the processes more open than here.

[XLFD]

I actually see John Shay as the prohibitive favorite for the Holland Twp. job.  It's his job to lose, the board members are old men who probably haven't took the time to do much as far as background checks, preferring to listen to Shay spin his credentials.  As the Twp board circumvented the OMA in their earlier interviews, I think they may be rather dismissive anyway of many of the faults that are pointed out at times here if they did their research.  If they do pick him, finalize their choice, I'll let the Holland Sentinel in on his past.

[AQUAMAN]

Per the Holland Sentinel web page tonight, Bulthuis is in, Shyster Shay out. This is the recommendation of the selection committee. Decision was leaning in Bulthuis's favor since he's a local, knows the area, has more regional familiarity and experience with the locals.  A final vote will come Saturday on the issue. Oh well, stuck yet with him, maybe soon someone will hire him.

[XLFD]

You scooped me by 25 minutes Aquaman.

[XLFD]

Looks like we're stuck with John Shay:   

Public interviews took place at the township offices on Tuesday, Feb. 20, with two finalists for the position that will need to be filled after the May retirement of current manager Don Komejan. After the interviews, the selection committee voted unanimously to recommend Executive Director of the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council Steve Bulthuis to the board of trustees. This will be voted on by the board at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the township offices, 353 N. 120th Ave.
The other finalist was John Shay, city manager of Ludington....

After the interviews, the selection committee noted the challenging decision ahead, as they were faced with two “very qualified” candidates. However, the knowledge Bulthuis has of the local community, being that he works with multiple governments in the area, led the conversation more toward selecting him.
Komejan said he would be supportive of either candidate.
“Both of them have strong administrative skills, strong analytical skills,” he said. “From an operational standpoint I would give a nod to John. From a big picture standpoint, Steve has local and regional knowledge.”
Bulthuis has served as executive director of the MACC since 2010.
There are going to be areas he will seek staff help on, as the township has more funds and a more complex budget than that of the MACC, he said during his interview.

“I recognize things I’m going to need to learn, and fortunately there’s a management team here that can help me with that process,” he said.
Bulthuis said he considers himself resourceful and detail-oriented, and said his vision for the township would be for it to maintain the leadership position it has in the area and continue the reputation of high integrity he says the township has. He would also define his success if given the position if he is following the directives and goals the board of trustees has established while keeping budgets “in the black.”

[shinblind]

Awwwww Nuts.

Good for Holland, not so good for Ludington.