By Judy Reed

 Thad Taylor, new City Manager for the City of Cedar Springs, will start in his new position on Monday September 10. He signed his contract with the city last week.

According to his contract, Taylor will make $70,000, and be awarded 25 business days (5 weeks) of vacation upon his start date. After a year, he will have 30 days. He may live within a 20 minute driving distance from the city, but the City Council would prefer he live within the city limits. The city will pay $50 a month to his cell phone provider to defray part of the expense for using it on city business. The city will not be obligated to provide an automobile for his use, but will reimburse him for mileage. The city will also pay for professional journals, membership in several city manager organizations, and at least one local civic organization.

The contract is good for two years, and his first evaluation will take place within 6 months.

Taylor was City Manager of Alpena, from December 2007-April 2012, and interim City Manager at Alpena 2006-2007. He was Public Safety Director there from 1992-2007. Before that, he was Police Chief and Public Safety Director in DeWitt Charter Township from 1988-92, and worked in Greenville for 26 years, including Public safety from 1977-1984. He still has family there.

Taylor was fired from his job in Alpena last April, on a 3-1 vote by the City Council, according to the Alpena News. Recall petitions for the mayor and two council members that fired him will be on the November ballot. No explanation was given from the Alpena City Council for his firing, other than that the city wanted to “move in a new direction.”

Taylor will now get a fresh start in Cedar Springs. “Working as the City Manager for the City of Cedar Springs will allow me to continue to pursue my passion, serving the community through local government, while allowing me to move closer to my aging parents, my daughter, and my extended family,” Taylor said in a cover letter when applying for the job.

A phone call to Taylor Thursday had not been returned at press time.

New City Manager to start MondayBy Judy Reed
Thad Taylor, new City Manager for the City of Cedar Springs, will start in his new position on Monday September 10. He signed his contract with the city last week.According to his contract, Taylor will make $70,000, and be awarded 25 business days (5 weeks) of vacation upon his start date. After a year, he will have 30 days. He may live within a 20 minute driving distance from the city, but the City Council would prefer he live within the city limits. The city will pay $50 a month to his cell phone provider to defray part of the expense for using it on city business. The city will not be obligated to provide an automobile for his use, but will reimburse him for mileage. The city will also pay for professional journals, membership in several city manager organizations, and at least one local civic organization. The contract is good for two years, and his first evaluation will take place within 6 months. Taylor was City Manager of Alpena, from December 2007-April 2012, and interim City Manager at Alpena 2006-2007. He was Public Safety Director there from 1992-2007. Before that, he was Police Chief and Public Safety Director in DeWitt Charter Township from 1988-92, and worked in Greenville for 26 years, including Public safety from 1977-1984. He still has family there.Taylor was fired from his job in Alpena last April, on a 3-1 vote by the City Council, according to the Alpena News. Recall petitions for the mayor and two council members that fired him will be on the November ballot. No explanation was given from the Alpena City Council for his firing, other than that the city wanted to “move in a new direction.” Taylor will now get a fresh start in Cedar Springs. “Working as the City Manager for the City of Cedar Springs will allow me to continue to pursue my passion, serving the community through local government, while allowing me to move closer to my aging parents, my daughter, and my extended family,” Taylor said in a cover letter when applying for the job.A phone call to Taylor Thursday had not been returned at press time.