The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dexter's Hanifan named Chelsea's new city manager
By Ed Freundl, The Chelsea Standard
PUBLISHED: May 10, 2007
The Chelsea City Council conducted a national search to find a new city manager, but the candidate they chose was found right in their back yard.
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On Tuesday the council officially offered a contract to John Hanifan, who has been Dexter's assistant village manager for the past three years.
"I've been in some form of municipal management for 10 years, and this was a natural, logical progression in my career," Hanifan said.
Interim City Manager John Hansen said the council voted unanimously to designate Hanifan as the "lead candidate."
The other candidates interviewed were Richard Downey, city administrator in Rock Falls, Ill.; Richard Dunnell, manager of Bridgeport Township near Saginaw; and Anthony Nowicki, Wixom's assistant city manager.
"(Hanifan) earned the nomination in the presence of others," Hansen said.
"He has the potential to provide very good, very long-term service to the city of Chelsea."
His contract calls for a starting salary of $75,074, and a previously approved 2.5 percent increase for all department heads that goes into effect on July 1 will boost that to $76,940.
Hanifan said Chelsea and Dexter are more alike than different, which will make his job easier.
"There are a lot of similarities between the two communities; they're facing the same growth and development issues. But they are different enough," he said. "This is a humbling and tremendous opportunity."
Chelsea Mayor Ann Feeney said Hanifan's understanding of Chelsea would be a bonus.
"I consider Chelsea and Dexter to be really good neighbors, and his familiarity with Chelsea will be a real advantage," Feeney said.
"We're very excited about John coming here. He has demonstrated his skills on many projects."
That project-management skill will be missed in Dexter, according to Village Manager Donna Dettling.
"I'm going to miss him, but this was a great opportunity for him and I can understand," she said.
"He moved a lot of important projects along. He's a team player, which will be key for the city of Chelsea."
Hanifan will take over from Hansen, who was brought on board after previous City Manager Mike Steklac resigned in February.
"He'll be here full-time no later than June 11, and it may well be he and I do some dovetailing, in a gradual transition," Hansen said.
"He's very loyal to jobs he wants to finish in Dexter, and the city council is very tolerant of that."
Hanifan said he has been married to his "college sweetheart," Dana, for 10 years, and they have three children: Chloe, 7; Ryan, 5; and Lucas, 2.
The family lives in Pinckney, but Hanifan said he intends to move to Chelsea at some point.
"Chelsea is a wonderful community," he said. "It's the kind of community I want to raise my family in."
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