Search for new city manager narrowed to 12 applicants

By Cindy Jo Ayers

Trenton City Commissioners chose 12 candidates for the city manager’s position, who will move on to the interview stage of the hiring process. The interviews will be held over a two-day period on March 15 and March 16. The interviews will probably last 20 to 30 minutes and will consist of a uniform set of questions that will be asked of each applicant.
The selection of applicants to be interviewed was made by each commissioner selecting their top 12 candidates from a group of 25 who submitted applications and resumes.
Those to be interviewed are not listed in any particular order. They are as follows: Jackie R. Barron of Trenton, Taylor T. Brown of Gainesville, Grady W. Hartzog of Trenton, Timothy Seth Hastings of Archer (formerly of Trenton), Alan Mikell of Trenton, Joseph S. Merainti of St. Cloud, Thomas R. Powell of Trenton, Mark D. Smith of Pinecrest, Fla., Kelly K. Stone of Bell, Carolyn Wiggins of Trenton, Laura B. Wigglesworth of Horseshoe Beach and Dana L. S. Williams of Arcadia.
Other city news included the approval of a site and development plan for an 1,100 square foot addition to Trenton Medical Center.
A new fire chief was appointed after the former chief resigned last week. Chief K. Turner will be replaced by Everritt Heaton. Heaton has been a member of the Trenton Fire Department for the past six years.
Monday afternoon’s meeting marked City Manager Jered Ottenwess’ final meeting. Commissioner Tim Kinsey wished him well and thanked him for the good job he has done.
The city manager gave each of the commissioners a list of the current ongoing projects. He also said that he would be glad to help if they have any questions on projects after he leaves his position on Friday. Ottenwess and his family will be returning to his home state of Michigan. He has taken a position as the city manager for the city of Ishpeming.
Ottenwess told commissioners that there were a couple of things that he felt were very important for Trenton’s future. He asked the commissioners to come up with a plan to fund and start repaving some of the streets like NE 4th Ave. which, according to Ottenwess is falling apart.
He also reminded commissioners that the water sewer rates did not cover any improvements to a very old system.
Ottenwess said that there are plans for a new development on the edge of town and the current system will not support it.
The commissioners plan to choose their top five applicants for the city manager’s position on March 18.
After the top applicant is selected, Mayor Thigpen will call for background checks and the salary negotiations will begin.