Marentette withdraws Interest in City Manager Position
Today, Benjamin Marentette, who was named by the City Commission as the finalist for City Manager on September 11, 2023, has withdrawn his interest in serving in the role, selecting to remain as City Clerk, and sent the attached letter to the City Commission on September 20, 2023.
Statement from Benjamin Marentette:
“I am very grateful for the vote of confidence from the City Commission in offering me the position of City Manager. Since the time of the City Commission making their decision on September 11, I have, after much contemplation, realized that my heart is in the democracy-centric role of serving as City Clerk, and that I wish to remain in that role. This is the basis for my decision, and there are no other reasons. Therefore, I am respectfully declining the offer to serve as City Manager. I recognize this will cause a delay in the City Commission choosing the next City Manager, which I regret, and I will do all I can to support the professional that the City Commission selects. I want to thank the City Commission, this community and staff and others for their support. And I want to especially thank the city leadership team for their understanding of my decision and I want to thank my fantastic husband, Matt, for all of his support.”
Interim City Manager Nate Geinzer is on contract to serve through October, and can then continue on a month-to-month basis as needed.
Traverse City Mayor Richard Lewis stated, “I am very proud of Benjamin for his honest consideration and following his heart instead of taking on the position of City Manager. This wasn’t an easy decision on his part and one I truly understand. He has been and will continue to be an important asset to Traverse City and the community.”
“It is admirable to see a commitment to democracy and public service being prioritized over personal advancement. The decision made by Mr. Marentette to decline the offer for City Manager shows a true dedication and understanding of the community he serves. The role of City Manager is undoubtedly a challenging one, and the future looks set to bring even more difficulties to the table. His knowledge and skills extend beyond just the local level, with his contributions being recognized on a statewide and national level. Our city is fortunate to have Marentette as a dedicated public servant, and we can continue to count on him to provide valuable contributions to our community,” Stated Mayor Pro Tem Amy Shamroe.
The City Commission will consider next steps in its search for a City Manager at its meeting of September 25, 2023.
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