Scottville commission selects 3 manager candidates to interview.

Scottville commission selects 3 manager candidates to interview.

SCOTTVILLE — During its regular meeting Monday, Scottville City Commission selected three people to interview for the city’s next city manager. The candidates include O’Neil J. Newkirk III of Oscoda, Christopher Frazer of Cass City and Jessica LaPointe of Branch. 

Newkirk is a native of Scottville and graduated from Mason County Central High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science/campaign management from Grand Valley State University, along with a teaching certification in secondary education from Saginaw Valley State University. He also studied history and social studies from Central Michigan University. 

He currently works for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a park ranger. According to his resume, he has over 25 years experience teaching and working in public service. 

“I am seeking to relocate to be closer to my family while continuing working within civil service,” he stated in his cover letter. “The opportunity to return and serve my hometown is an opportunity I am quite excited about.

“I know that my proven leadership skills, strong commitment to high ethical and professional standards, and flexibility in devising proactive responses to changing conditions would allow me to make a significant contribution to the City of Scottville team,” he stated. 

Frazer has a bachelor of science degree with a major in political science and nonprofit administration from Central Michigan University and plans to complete a master’s degree in public administration in May of this year, also from CMU. 

“I have always been fascinated with the operations of local government,” he stated on his resume. “With this fascination, I decided to work toward and complete an undergraduate degree in political science and work toward a master of public administration degree. I am committed to a career in service to others. I have a passion for serving and strive daily to improve myself and the lives of others.” 

Frazer served as a management assistant with the City of Vassar from October 2020 until February 2021. His other public service experience includes being a legislative aide for Rep. Dan Lauwers of Lansing. 

LaPointe is currently the finance and human resources manager for Lake County Road Commission, a job she has held since 2018. Prior to that, she served in that role as an assistant for five years. She has an associate degree in business management from West Shore Community College and a human resources management degree from Baker College. 

“I have been an active member in my community by helping plan and execute many events,” she wrote on her resume. “I have volunteered for the Trout-a-Rama in Lake County, as well as more local events with my community (Carr Settlement).

“I love volunteer at my children’s schools, Mason County Central Upper Elementary and Middle School.”

The commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the former Optimist Center. During that time the commission will interview the three candidates. 

The city manager position has been vacant since January when Courtney Magaluk resigned following an investigation by the commission concerning missing key revenue sharing deadlines. That investigation revealed several state filings that Magaluk had missed. She had held the position since June 2019.

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