Ortonville- Village Manager Paul Zelenak says he’s withdrawn his name for the position of Holly Village Manager.
‘There’s lots of reason for me to stay in Ortonville,? said Zelenak, 41. ‘I’ve received lots of support from the community to stay.?
On Dec. 14 the Holly Village Council voted 5-2 to offer Zelenak the position, which has been open since July when Holly Village Manager Tom Ault accepted a new position in Ohio. He had served about two years. Holly council members Don Winglemire and Shirley Campbell voted against the offer.
The Ortonville council then responded in closed session to extended a 6 percent salary increase to Zelenak.
Since then Zelenak, along with Holly attorneys, have been in contract negotiayions.
‘The village council support and extra compensation also made a difference for me to stay,? said Zelenak.
‘Holly was just not the right community for me. It’s a lot more than just money.?
Zelenak says he feels obligated to complete several major projects in Ortonville including the Main Street designation, sewers and upcoming street paving.
Other factors in the decision to turn down the position, says Zelenak come after attending several Holly Village Council meetings and meeting individually with council members.
‘Many factors went into the decision making progress, including the support the Holly council,? he said.
The Village of Holly Council President Peter Clemens supported offering Zelenak the position.
‘I’m very disappointed we could not get a deal with Paul’but I wish him the best,? said Clemens.
‘In the next few days we’ll be discussing what to do, we’ll have to start the process over.?
Clemens said Holly spent $6,600 for the search through the Michigan Municipal League, and due to the cost may now consider an in-house search for a new manager.
During the past eight years, three different managers have served in Holly, added Clemens.
‘This council has a terrible track record keeping managers,? said Clemens.
‘We’ve had a lot of new faces over the last few years and a lot is due to this community’s growth. The past councils heap on a lot of work on managers, more than perhaps they were used to.?
Last fall Zelenak was selected second of 52 applications for the managers position after the lead candidate selected a job in Oregon. For the past six months retired Wayne, Mich. city manager Tom Daily had been interim manager.
The Village of Holly is located in northwestern Oakland County and has a population of about 6,200.
Zelenak has been Ortonville village manager since October 2001, and replaced Pete Auger who accepted a similar position in Davison. Zelenak previously served 13 years with the administration at the City of Rochester Hills.