May 11, 2021 By Jessica Mathews & Jon King / news@whmi.com
The Howell City Council is moving on following the abrupt resignation of its city manager amid staff turmoil and an acknowledgment of unpleasantries , but no details on just what led to the departure of Paul DeBuff.
DeBuff submitted his resignation last Thursday, saying he appreciated the opportunity and wished the âCity, the Council, and staff the very best.â He served in the role for less than a year. Council met virtually Monday night and approved a motion to accept the resignation effective immediately and amend DeBuffâs employment agreement to provide two monthsâ severance of salary and benefits paid through July 6th, with vacation benefits to be paid out in lump sum per contract. Council approved a separate motion to appoint DPS Director Erv Suida as city manager.
By Jon King / jking@whmi.com
Just a year after officially hiring in as the manager for the City of Howell, Paul DeBuff has tendered his resignation.
According to Howell Mayor Nick Procter, DeBuff gave his notice Thursday morning after a meeting with city officials in which it was determined to be the best course of action. âHe was implementing a very rapid succession of changes that some in city staff were very, very uncomfortable with and Paul had lost some confidence with city staff that he believed would probably not be repaired, so heâs moving on to seek other opportunities and certainly city council and I wish him well in his future professional endeavors.â
April 27, 2021
The City of Howellâs Community Development Director is departing.
At Monday nightâs Council virtual meeting, City Manager Paul DeBuff announced that Tim Schmitt is moving on and has put in his notice. Schmitt has been with the City for roughly 6-and-a-half years.
The City website states the department facilitates and promotes high-quality growth and development. Itâs responsible for coordinating long-range planning, current planning and zoning, code enforcement, building inspections, economic development, neighborhood development, and brownfield redevelopment. The department also provides support to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the City Manager.
It was stated during the meeting that it will likely take several months to try and find someone to fill Schmittâs spot as it is a very specialized kind of role and the City is currently recruiting now. In the meantime, the City will be working with a c
Proposed boat rentals, to-go alcohol sales at popular East Grand Rapids restaurant draws backlash
Updated Apr 19, 2021;
Posted Apr 19, 2021
The owner of Rose s restaurant on Reed s Lake in East Grand Rapids wants to offer 12 pontoon boats for rent, to-go alcohol sales, a fueling station, as well as rides on a historic boat. (Brian McVicar | MLive.com)
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EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MI The owner of Rose’s restaurant on Reed’s Lake is asking permission to offer 12 pontoon boat rentals, historic tour boat rides, and to-go alcohol sales.
Greg Gilmore, whose company owns The B.O.B. and several other West Michigan restaurants, made the request to the East Grand Rapids Planning Commission. He said in a March 17 letter to the city that adding the rentals at Rose’s 62-slip boat dock would “increase the opportunity for all to enjoy Reed’s Lake.”