On Thursday night, Ann Arbor City Council interviewed the four finalists being considered for the city administrator position.
The City of Ann Arbor’s Interim City Administrator, Tom Crawford, says his nearly 16 years of working with the city as the chief financial officer has prepared him to lead Ann Arbor. He has served as interim city administrator three times.
Tom Crawford: I come to today feeling that I’m well prepared for what this city faces.
As the State of Michigan’s Deputy State Treasurer,Joyce Parker told city council she understands government both at a local and state level. She has held city manager positions and has worked on affordable housing projects.
Joyce Parker: Because I’ve had an extensive amount of experience in that area, I understand federal programs, state programs, local initiatives, the resources that might be necessary in order to move something like that forward.
Cara Pavlicek is the village manager of Oak Park, Illinois--a position she’s held since 2012. Pavlicek says she would not hesitate to advise city council on issues discussed at the table.
Cara Pavlicek: The city administrator or village manager, when asked, does need to provide a recommendation and provide rationale for that recommendation.
Eric Wobser is the city manager of Sandusky, Ohio and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2005. He says his ability to work well with elected officials makes him a great candidate.
Eric Wobser: I serve at the will of city council and the mayor, as a city manager or city administrator. So, I don’t step over the line of a direction that is given to me.
The city could make an employment offer to one of finalists as early as next week. The individual selected will replace former City Administrator Howard Lazarus, who was fired by city council without cause in February.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
