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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
SCOTTVILLE — Scottville City Commission is considering two candidates for the role of interim city manager, to replace Jimmy Newkirk who resigned in April. The commission held a special meeting Thursday evening to interview James “Toby” Van Ess and Clarence Goodlein.
Van Ess served as full time elected supervisor/zoning administrator/manager of Tallmadge Charter Township in Ottawa County from 2008 to 2020. Prior to that he served as Talmadge Township treasurer from 2005 to 2008. He formerly owned Van Ess Property Corporation/Construction from 1987 to 2018 and was president/owner of New Era Development from 2004 to 2015. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Ferris State University and resides in Sheridan Township.
Goodlein has worked in public service for over 45 years. He most recently served as zoning administrator and blight enforcement official for Leroy Township and Leroy Village in Osceola County. From 2020 to 2022 he was City of Flushing city manager and was city manager and emergency management director of City of Wixom from 2015 to 2017. Prior to that he served as Wixom public safety director and police chief from 2004 to 2015 and police chief from 1999 to 2004. He also was an adjunct professor of psychology, statistics and research methods from 2005 to 2016. Goodlein has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Madonna University, a master’s degree in clinical psychology from University of Detroit – Mercy, and a master’s degree in public administration from Oakland University.
Van Ess had applied for the Scottville city manager position in 2019 but withdrew for personal reasons. He told the commission during his interview Thursday that he would consider a permanent position as city manager.
Newkirk resigned on April 23. Since that time, Mayor Marcy Spencer has been serving as acting city manager until an interim manager could be hired. The city’s charter states that the commission shall appoint a new city manager within 90 days after any vacancy exists. The charter also allows for the hiring of an acting city manager to serve during the period of a vacancy or during the absence of the city manager from the city.
The commission is expected to make a decision during its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 28. City Commission will meet at 6 p.m. at city hall, 105 N. Main St.
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