After reading a post on Larry Inmans timeline that provoked much discussion I would like the conversation to continue here. I believe two other candidates with much more experience that Andy Marek were passed over in favor of customer service from Andy. Larry Inman states in the RE he didnt expect Marek to be appointed but nominated him anyway. Experienced candidates bypassed for GT road board seat Grand Traverse County commissioners appointed a man with no background in roads management or funding to the countys road commission, and in doing so bypassed two candidates who brought decades of relevant experience to the table. Five county commissioners on Dec. 17 voted to appoint Andy Marek, of Interlochen, to the road commission following a roughly five-minute discussion. The appointment came after commissioners for the second time in a month interviewed road board candidates during a special meeting. One of those candidates, Susan Sanford, said she was surprised the road commission selected Marek, a project service coordinator at Traverse Citys Home Depot, given Mareks lack of experience with road commissions, including his own admission that hes unfamiliar with Act 51 funding -- the formula state officials use to distribute money to road commissions. I found it very interesting that they would appoint someone who doesnt know what Act 51 is, because thats the major source of funding for road commissions, Sanford said. Marek, a member of the Traverse Area District Library board, told commissioners during the Dec. 17 meeting that he also wasnt familiar with several state laws related to libraries before his appointment to the library board. I quickly learned and was able to function well within that board, Marek said. The countys five-member road commission oversees a $16 million annual budget and prioritizes local road repairs and improvements. Road commissioners earn $5,500 a year in salary, plus health, life, and pension benefits to attend one meeting a month. The chairman earns an extra $1,000 in annual salary. Board members can also receive compensation for attending meetings and other events. Marek said he would not sign up for the road commissions health insurance benefit. Road commissioners who opt out of county-funded health insurance can instead receive a $2,000 cash stipend. Sanford and fellow road board candidate Bob Fudge during their interviews told county board members about their extensive experience related to Michigan road commissions. Sanford, who owns her own accounting firm, audited 30 Michigan road commissions over the course of 28 years, and worked closely with the Michigan Department of Transportation on road funding issues, according to her resume. Fudge worked for two road commissions between 1987 and 1998, most recently as the engineering manager for Wexford Countys road commission. County commissioners during the Dec. 17 meeting initially entertained a motion by board member Addison Wheelock Jr. to appoint a fourth candidate -- attorney Peter Zirnhelt -- to the road board. That motion failed with little discussion. Commissioner Larry Inman next moved to appoint Marek. Commissioner Dan Lathrop seconded the motion. Commissioner Christine Maxbauer said she supported Marek, in part, because he lauded his customer service experience during his interview. No other commissioners spoke before Mareks appointment was approved. Maxbauer on Dec. 24 said the road commissions staff bring expertise and experience to the table, while board members are supposed to function as a bridge between that expertise and county residents. What Andy has is customer service and a community-oriented prospective, she said. That’s what he displayed over and over during his interview. Inman said he didnt expect his appointment of Marek to pass, but he still favored Marek as the best candidate for the post. He applauded Marek for getting involved in the road commissions recent millage campaign and for regularly attending county board, road commission and township meetings. Commission Chairman Herb Lemcool said he ultimately favored Zirnhelt for the post, but he voted for Marek, in part, because he liked Mareks youth. I like younger people being involved in our community, Lemcool said. I will always encourage that. Lemcool also said he did not want to appoint another Garfield Township resident to the road commission. Road board member John Nelson is a Garfield Township representative, and Lemcool said he wanted to choose a board member from the southern portion of Grand Traverse County. Sanford and Fudge live in Garfield Township. Lemcool added he knew Marek and his parents from their involvement in Boy Scouts of America. Lemcool previously served on the Boy Scouts of Americas executive board. Marek said commissioners made their decision based on what they thought was best. Im thankful for the opportunity and Im hopeful I can live up to expectations, he said. One county commissioner, though, declined to vote on any proposed appointments during the Dec. 17 meeting. Commissioner Charlie Renny said the entire process was diminished and tarnished, basically by one commissioner. He would not provide a specific name. Renny previously supported appointing Long Lake Township resident Cori Nielson to the road board during the commissions first round of candidate interviews on Dec. 3. Commissioners thought they voted her to the post early this month, but later discovered she fell one vote short of the total needed for a road board appointment. Maxbauer also expressed concerns about financial problems for Nielsons real estate development firm during the Great Recession that caused the company to default on several loans. I think its time for this board to take a good look at itself and start thinking about decency and integrity, Renny said during the meeting.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:18:51 +0000
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