New village manager named

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Ortonville-The village has a new manager.
The village council unanimously agreed at the July 11 meeting to offer the position to Judy D. Andersen, with a 90-day trial employment and $37,000 yearly salary, to be renegotiated at the end of the trial period. She was hired the next day and will start July 18.
Thirty-five candidates applied for the job and four interviews were conducted, says Sue Bess, village council president.
‘I’m very appreciative of the opportunity,? said Andersen, 52. ‘Ortonville is a small village. I like the philosophy of remaining quaint, even though there is a lot of growth in Oakland County. I like what I’ve seen so far.?
Andersen has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleary College in Ann Arbor and received a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University in December 2004. She has extensive experience in government. Andersen was a program administrator for the Michigan Department of Human Services from 1978-1991; a business manager for the Livingston County EMS from 1997-2002; and a business manager for the Livingston County building department from 2002-2004.
‘I’ve been off work for a year, storing energy for Ortonville,? says Andersen. ‘I’m very happy to get back to work, I’m ready.?
Sue Bess, village council president, said Andersen’s experience in a government environment will be very helpful.
‘She’s a very dynamic, energetic person,? says Bess. ‘She appreciates the quaintness of the village and small town. I think she will be an excellent addition to our village staff.?
Andersen replaces former village manager Paul Zelenak, who left May 16 to become the city manager of Bloomfield Hills. She is married and has two adult sons. The Howell resident is undecided about whether she will move to this area.
Andersen believes her previous experience in serving the public will be a strength for her in Ortonville, as well as her strong communication skills, an open mind and a desire to learn the needs of the village.
‘I will seek feedback from the community and staff,? she says. ‘I see myself in a supportive role. I will be here to support the community.?

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Ortonville- The village has a new manager.
By a 4-2 vote Monday night, the village council approved the hiring of Bill Sprague. Councilmembers Harold Batten and Aileen Champion voted no.
‘He was the best of many well-qualified candidates,? said Council President Ken Quisenberry. ‘I’m optimistic that he understands what the needs of the village are going to be and has the ability to administrate responsibly.?
Sprague began work Wednesday as the full-time village manager and will earn a salary of $1,730 bi-weekly, or $44,980 annually. He receives no benefits, which Quisenberry said will save the village $30,000 annually.
Sprague, 54, is a 15-year Lapeer resident, has served as mayor of that city for the past three years and was a member of the Lapeer City Commission for eight years. He retired 18 months ago from Delphi, where he was employed 32 years? 20 as a human resources manager, and the last four years as a restructuring manager. Sprague received his bachelor’s degree in social science in 1977 from Western Michigan University and earned his master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University in 1989.
Through his experience with the city of Lapeer, Sprague has found he enjoys government work and he is looking forward to helping the village.
‘Hopefully, I can be of service to the people of Ortonville and improve the quality of their lives,? he said.
Sprague’s philosophy regarding municipal government is to focus on three areas? the health, safety, and education of residents; jobs; and affordable housing.
‘If you have a nice, safe, well-educated community, then you figure out what you can do to support them,? Sprague said. ‘If we want to create jobs, we need to look at what is prohibiting that. Right now, it’s difficult to have a large industry here, because there is no water and sewer.?
It will be necessary, he said, to figure out how to get a water and sewer system in the village or go after jobs that don’t require bringing in a wastewater treatment system. He favors pursuing water and sewer; however, not necessarily on a village-wide basis, saying that a targeted approach to, perhaps, just the business district could be effective.
Sprague is looking forward to meeting village residents and business owners.
‘I want to get out and meet as many as possible and see what they need, so we can move the village forward,? he said.
Sprague has been married to Debbie for 28 years and they have two children, Katie, 25, and George, 23.

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