Another one bites the dust.
For the third time in four years, an Oxford Downtown Development Authority director has called it quits.
During the DDA’s Organization and Finance Committee meeting Monday night, Executive Director Carolyn Bennett formally submitted her letter of resignation.
‘I have accepted a position with Detroit Edison as Principal Account Manager,? she wrote
The three-sentence letter contained no parting sentimentality or well wishes for the future from Bennett, who was hired in January 2007.
It simply informed the DDA that her resignation is effective June 23, the same day she’s due to start her new position.
DDA Chairman Mark Young was not surprised by Bennett’s decision to leave.
‘I figured it was just a matter of time because I know some people had been getting calls to verify employment and so forth,? he said. ‘I knew she was actively shopping (for a new job).?
Young believes Bennett’s resignation was in part due to the fact it appeared the DDA board wasn’t willing to renew her contract, which had expired in January.
‘Nobody had taken a position to renew it,? he said.
At the May 19 DDA meeting, village President Chris Bishop made a motion to not renew her contract, but it failed in a 3-2 vote with one abstention. It was felt that a full board should vote on the proposed contract.
Young described Bennett’s recent performance evaluations from DDA board members as ‘kind of grim.?
If he had to give her job reviews a letter grade, he said, ‘They were like a ‘C? overall.?
‘I think she just had enough and saw the handwriting on the wall,? Young noted.
Young said there’s no hard feelings on his part about Bennett’s leaving.
‘We always welcome the opportunity for someone to further their professional life,? he said.
The DDA board will be discussing how to go about replacing Bennett at its Monday, June 16 meeting.
A year-and-a-half seems to be the average shelf-life of a DDA director in Oxford.
Former directors Michelle Bishop and Amanda Cassidy each lasted approximately 18 months before quitting.