Dennis Ritter doesn’t like to think of himself as the guy who will fill the shoes left behind by retiring Clarkston City Manager Art Pappas.
But, Ritter said he’s prepared to serve the community in which he lives.
‘No one will ever replace Art,? he said. ‘But I’m honored I was selected to fill the spot he’s held so admirably for the last 45 years. The guy is just terrific.?
Ritter, 62, was selected as the best of two final candidates interviewed by the city council.
The council voted 6-0 at the regular April 14 meeting to hire Ritter. Councilman Mike Gawronski, who did not attend the city manager candidate interviews, abstained from the vote.
Ritter and his wife, Sandra, moved to Clarkston from Waterford about 2 years ago when a home they built on Waldon was complete. The couple has two grown children; Mike is a Waterford police officer and Sarah lives near Atlanta, Georgia.
Although Ritter and the council have not yet drawn up a contract or defined specific working hours, he anticipates a 3-4 day work week, and will probably begin spending time in the city offices mid-May.
‘It’s going to be important to sit by Art’s side for a couple of months and get a feel for the operation,? he said.
Due to budget concerns, the city manager’s job will become an hourly, rather than salaried, position once Pappas retires June 30.
‘It’s a small and very lean budget,? said Ritter, noting he’s already looked over a number of city documents, including the budget, charter and recently-adopted policy and procedures manual. ‘It’s really remarkable how they’re able to get things done with that amount of money, particularly in view of the fact that the state continues to cut revenue sharing.?
The city’s total 2008 revenues are currently estimated at $875,835, with expenditures totaling $875,830’but Pappas said the outlook was likely to improve, at least slightly, before the budget year ends June 30.
As Ritter prepares to step in, he plans to take one day at a time and says he has no immediate plans.
‘More than anything else, I really need to sit down with the council and see what they have in terms of priorities and needs and see what we can do to obtain those goals,? he said. ‘As we go through the process I’m going to see things and maybe have a different perspective, which I’ll present for consideration.?
Ritter said he believes a team management approach is important, especially in such a small community.
‘It has to be a participative type of government where everyone is involved,? he said. ‘I think by and large the council has a pretty good pulse of the community. It’s a diverse council and that’s good ? it’s really good for the community.?
Ritter also said he is a proponent of open government.
‘In a general sense, government has to be transparent,? he said. ‘I think it’s important that everybody knows what going on in the community. Everyone wants to feel safe and be safe. You have to have information to satisfy those needs.?
‘I believe in transparency,? he said. ‘Absolutely.?
During his administration in Waterford, Ritter oversaw development of the township’s $3 million library, as well as a $10-million township-wide water filtration system.
Although projects of such a large scope are not likely to occur in Clarkston any time soon, Ritter said he’s looking forward to getting back into municipal work.
‘It’s in the blood, almost like working in the market all those years,? said Ritter, who’s family owned and operated a produce market in Independence Township for many years. ‘Once you get a taste of it, and it’s something you like, you continue to prosper in that profession.?
Ritter’s family arrived in the area during the 1940s. As one of 12 children, he often worked alongside his father at the family produce stand located on Dixie Highway near M-15.
The landscape, he said, looks a little different these days.
‘I can remember taking the Greyhound bus from Pontiac and getting off at the fruit market,? he said. ‘It was flat out rural here, it really was. We’ve seen a lot of change.?
Today, Ritter said he enjoys the small town amenities that still exist in Clarkston.
‘It’s nice being able to walk to the donut shop to get a cup of coffee and a donut and sit down to talk with your neighbors,? he said. ‘And it’s nice to be able to walk your dog around the area’and we do that frequently.?
Ritter said he also enjoys the local park.
‘Depot Park is a great place, particularly when they have Concerts in the Park,? he said. ‘People come from all over for that. Clarkston is just a nice attractive, place’a close-knit place. I’m honored to be able to serve in a community like that.?
In addition to giving Ritter the nod, the city council also voted unanimously to offer the position of clerk/treasurer to Independence Township resident Jan Gillespie. Gillespie recently retired from Bloomfield Hills School District, where she served a 20-year tenure as the district’s accountant.
Pappas, 75, currently holds all three positions’manager, clerk and treasurer, but told the council last fall he was ready to retire.