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Former Hancock mayor Barry Givens was chosen to be the new city manager in the City of Hancock just a month ago. But it now appears that Givens, who succeeds current city manager Glenn Anderson in the job, will be asked to go back to the bargaining table.
The action to restart the procedure was taken by the city council at a special meeting held Wednesday night.
After a long discussion that included several public comments supporting Givens, the council voted to set up a new negotiating committee consisting of Ron Blau, John Haeussler and Paul LaBine. Mayor pro-tem Ted Belej made the motion on the action. The council voted to table further action until next Wednesday’s council meeting.
The council also talked to Jerry Richards of the Michigan Municipal League regarding a timetable on looking at candidates for the job. Originally, a total of 28 people had applied for the position.
Mayor Lisa McKenzie, a member of the original city negotiating committee along with Belej and councilman LaBine, said conversations with Givens recently had produced little results. Givens, a former councilman and mayor in Hancock, was not present last night. He was reportedly unhappy with an overlap policy regarding when he would officially begin the job. McKenzie said she wasn’t totally sure of the problems regarding Givens and the negotiating committee.
Dave Dow, a Hancock businessman and citizen, said he felt Givens was the ideal candidate. “The city has to get this resolved and pay up to get it done,” Dow said. “He’s the best man for the job.”
Haeussler said he believes Givens is the top candidate for the position, and is looking forward with meeting with him as a member of the new negotiating committee.
Givens was unanimously approved for the job on May 12 by the council.
