Starting Monday, June 14, the Village of Oxford will have a new manager on the job and his name is Kervin Joseph Young.
‘I feel that Mr. Young would be a valuable asset to this village,? said Councilman Steve Allen. ‘He has a knowledge base that stretches beyond what your ordinary, run-of-the-mill village manager candidate would (have).?
Council last night voted 4-0 approve the employment agreement between the village and Young, of Hazel Park, ‘as submitted? and authorize council President Renee Donovan and Allen to sign on behalf of the village.
Donovan and Allen negotiated the contract with Young after council voted to offer him the manager position on May 25.
‘I’ve had harder jobs,? Allen said of the contract negotiations. ‘It was actually very enjoyable.?
According to the contract, Young will be paid an annual salary of $77,000 and be subject to a ‘performance review? after six months on the job.
‘The village at such times may increase his annual salary and/or benefits as herein provided in such amount and to such an extent as the village council finds desirable based upon any factors the village council wishes to consider,? the contract stated.
The contract also requires Young to become a ‘full-time resident? of the village ‘within one year after the commencement of his employment? as manager.
‘Although residency is not required anywhere in the State of Michigan anymore to work here, (Young) has willingly offered to move here within one year of his date of hire (June 14), which we appreciate,? Allen said. ‘We think he’ll like it very much here.?
‘I feel the village would have a very, very bright future with Joe at the helm,? Allen said.
Donovan said she has already heard many good things about Young from people in the community.
‘We’ve had several members of the community come forward who have worked with or know Mr. Young and have had very good experiences with him,? Donovan said. ‘One is (Oakland County) Undersheriff Mike McCabe (a resident of Oxford Township), who said that we were getting a very, very good asset to the village. I’m very pleased.?
Young has worked in various positions for local governments since 1969, most notably serving as the Pontiac City deputy mayor from June 1982 to January 1986 and again as acting deputy mayor from June 1993 to December 1994. Although much of his career was spent with the City of Pontiac in various positions, Young has also worked for the cities of Kalamazoo, Southfield, Hazel Park and Hamtramck.
Prior to Oxford, Young was employed with the City of Hastings (in western Michigan’s Barry County) since February 2004 as city clerk/treasurer/director of finance/FOIA coordinator. His employment there ends this week.
When asked why he chose Oxford, Young replied, ‘They (council) were very interested in me ? the experience I could bring to the community and my help to move things forward on the different projects they’re involved with.?
‘It’s a great opportunity to help make a difference in this community,? he said.
Young told this reporter he has ‘a lot of finance experience. . .lots of contacts over the years in a number of different areas, state and federal levels. . .a lot of involvement with public relations and promotion.?
As manager, Young said he will be ‘out and about in the community? visiting ‘businesses and neighborhoods.?
‘I want to be involved in and part of the community,? said Young, who joined the Kiwanis Club earlier this year while in Hastings. ‘I want to promote good family things for the community.?