Berkley Residents Invited to Meet City Manager Candidates
With excitement buzzing throughout the community, the city of Berkley is gearing up for a special event where residents will have the chance to meet the candidates vying for the position of city manager. This important gathering is set to take place on Tuesday, October 1, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Public Safety Department’s garage, located at 2395 12 Mile Road.
What’s Happening?
The meet and greet promises to be a fantastic opportunity for residents to engage directly with the four candidates. Each candidate will be available to discuss their vision, share their ideas on how they plan to run the city, and answer any questions from the community. Caitlin Flora, Berkley’s Director of Communications, expressed the importance of this gathering by saying, “The main important thing is just this opportunity for our community to come and meet the candidates and hear about their vision.”
Who are the Candidates?
The four candidates stepping up to the plate for Berkley’s city manager position are:
- M. Jon Dean, Chief of Human Resources at Veterinary United;
- Mohamed “Moe” Ayoub, Planning Director for the city of Westland;
- Khalfani Stephens, Deputy Mayor for the city of Pontiac;
- Crystal VanVleck, Deputy City Manager of Community Services for Oak Park.
Each candidate brings a unique background and perspective, making this meet and greet an exciting chance for community members to assess who they feel might be the best fit for Berkley.
What Residents Want
A recent survey conducted within the community helped pinpoint the “desired qualities” residents are looking for in their next city manager. Key attributes identified include:
- Strong leadership
- Effective communication
- Financial acumen
- Community oriented
- Innovative and forward-thinking
Flora noted that residents are likely to ask questions that align with these qualities, particularly around financial experience. “I think some big questions will come around the financial acumen portion. I think people will be really interested to learn what the candidate’s financial experience is,” she remarked.
What’s Next After the Meet and Greet?
Following the meet and greet, there will be a special City Council meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 3338 Coolidge Highway. During this meeting, individual interviews will be conducted with each candidate. It’s all part of the selection process in which Berkley aims to choose the very best leader for their city.
The Role of the City Manager
In a city manager form of government like Berkley’s, the city manager plays a crucial role in running various departments. This person works under the direction of the City Council, effectively having seven bosses. Mayor Bridget Dean highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating that having “departments and staff and council moving in the same direction” is vital. She added that trust and open communication between the mayor and the city manager are essential for addressing challenges and ultimately working towards what is best for Berkley.
Mark Your Calendar!
The city of Berkley will make its final decision on the next city manager at a special meeting set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, at City Hall. If you’re a Berkley resident, this is your chance to be part of an important decision that will shape the future of your community!
Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard as the city of Berkley moves towards a bright and promising future with new leadership!
