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Durand manager contract approval delayed
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:04 AM EDT
DURAND - City Clerk and City Manager Amy Roddy's salary and benefit package was to be decided during Monday's City Council meeting, but the item was taken off the agenda.
Roddy has been in contract negotiations with Mayor Cameron Canute, but when asked why the item was removed from the agenda, Canute said he had no comment.
“I think it's because they've had questions and they wanted to do it in executive session, but they couldn't because it's not for an evaluation or disciplinary action,” Roddy said. “And I don't think they want to discuss it openly on the floor.”
Roddy added she believes the contract will be approved at the next city council meeting Oct. 6.
Instead of searching for an outside person to replace Lynn Markland, who was the city manager for 15 years, the council voted Aug. 18 to make Durand City Clerk and Interim City Manager Amy Roddy the official replacement.
Markland left Durand to become the city manager of Fenton. He began July 14.
Roddy was appointed interim city manager June 16 by a 4-2 vote, with Councilmember Tina Hildebrandt and Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth McDonough dissenting.
At the end of Monday's meeting, McDonough commended Roddy for her work as city manager.
“You are doing a good job right now as the city manager and you are keeping us very informed, which we appreciate,” McDonough said.
n A letter of commendation was given to part-time Durand police officer Brandon Leighton.
Reading from a prepared statement, Canute said at about 2 a.m. May 21, Leighton responded to two house fires at 211 and 209 Atwater Street at in Durand.
He made contact with the woman who resided in 211 as she was exiting her burning residence. Leighton then established that she required medical attention and made sure she received it.
He discovered the other house on fire had a family in it that was not accounted for. He entered the house and found the home owner asleep in her daughter's room, with her daughter. He evacuated the two and then discovered the homeowner's son and friend were still in the house.
“You then entered the burning house a second time and found the two boys who were sleeping and you evacuated them from the house,” Canute read. “Officer Leighton, your actions on May 21, 2008 were heroic.
“And without regard for your own safety, you entered the house that was engulfed in fire and evacuated four subjects who were sleeping and not aware of the fire. Officer Leighton, there is no doubt in my mind and the mind of the Assistant Durand Fire Department Chief that you saved four lives that morning. It is with great pride that I give you this letter of commendation and a medal for saving lives. Your actions and dedication are a positive reflection on the Durand Police Department.”
Durand Police Chief Michael Tanner said he was proud of Leighton.
“In the 30 years I've been here, it's is probably one of the most heroic things I've seen a police officer do,” he said.
n Kelly's Asphalt Maintenance of Bancroft was awarded the bid for asphalt patching to repair an area on Brookfield Street just north of Brand. The bid was for an amount of about $5,300.
n The bid for crack sealing on city streets was awarded to Scodeller Construction of Wixom for an amount to not exceed $10,000.
n The council also approved a proposal to allow the Lansing-based Soil & Materials Engineers, Inc. to conduct pavement/soil borings in locations for an amount of $5,800. The information obtained from the borings is used to determine what type of repair is required for the streets.
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.
