Ortonville- The village council unanimously approved the hiring of a part-time clerk and part-time treasurer during their Jan. 14 meeting.
The move comes more than two months after Village Clerk/Treasurer Mary Clark resigned during an investigation into her accounting practices. The council later decided to divide the full-time position into two part-time jobs.
The new treasurer is Larry Brown, an 18-year Brandon Township resident who worked for General Motors for 36 years and retired as a finance manager.
The new clerk is Julie Alexander, who has 20 years of management experience, mostly with EDS.
Each will earn a salary of $15 per hour for the first 30 days, and will increase to $17 per hour after 60 days.
Council President Ken Quisenberry was pleased with the selection of Brown and Alexander. ‘I’m sure they won’t have any trouble adapting and doing the job,? he said. ‘Their credentials are great and they both came highly recommended.?
The decision disappointed former Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Karsney, who had taken over Clark’s duties and applied for one of the new positions.
‘I was shocked,? Karsney said. ‘I worked on holiday weekends, ate lunch at my desk, and this is the thanks I get.?
Quisenberry said a lot of good candidates applied and Karsney did very well, but wasn’t the highest scoring.
‘I think the new clerk and treasurer will do a wonderful job,? he said. ‘They’re very well-qualified and ambitious. They’re chomping at the bit to get going.?
Brown and Alexander began work on Wednesday.