Ortonville- Bill Sprague is moving on, after five months as the village manager.
Sprague turned in his letter of resignation to Village Council President Ken Quisenberry March 26. His last day in the village will be April 9, as he leaves to take a human resources position in the private sector.
‘I’m leaving with a heavy heart,? said Sprague. ‘In the short period of time I’ve been here, I’ve made some good friendships and met some extremely nice people, but the offer was too good to refuse.?
Sprague, 55, was hired as the full-time village manager in late October and was formerly a Delphi employee. The15-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 will continue to serve as the Lapeer mayor.
‘We’re disappointed because he is a magnificent guy doing a great job, but he has a much better opportunity,? said Quisenberry. ‘We will miss him.?
In his time as the village manager, Sprague said he believes the best thing he has helped to do is get the office organized to serve the village residents. He also likes what the Department of Public Works employees have done to solve drainage issues in the village, which he calls the first step in improving the roads.
‘It’s a very fun job and I have really enjoyed doing it,? Sprague said. ‘I will continue to lobby for Ortonville. I think the biggest thing we need to continue to do, meaning the Village of Ortonville and Brandon Township, is to keep the heat on elected representatives to deliver some projects back to northern Oakland County. A lot of times we get forgotten up here. The majority of the money goes to where the population is.?
The village’s primary focus, he said, should be on health and safety? the infrastructure of the village, such as roads and sewers, as well as jobs and housing.
‘We need to push forward on the issue of sewers and improving the roads,? Sprague said. ‘If we fix the infrastructure, we have an excellent opportunity to attract jobs.?
Quisenberry said the council has not yet decided on a process for replacing Sprague. However, at their next meeting, set for April 12, the council will vote on appointment of Treasurer Larry Brown as the full-time interim village manager.
‘We would like to find a long-term replacement, not necessarily fulltime,? Quisenberry said. ‘We will begin to search for a replacement this month.?