Kell says he will miss the city
By Bert Lehman
Outgoing Clintonville City Administrator Chuck Kell was recognized by Mayor Lois Bressette, the city council and city staff at the June 13 council meeting.
Kell was hired by the city on an interim basis in October 2014 when the city was in need of a city administrator.
“I just wanted to take some time to tell Chuck thank you for your commitment to the city of Clintonville. Thank you for helping us move forward,” Bressette said.
Police Chief James Beggs read a prepared statement from the city’s staff.
“Like Mayor Bressette said, you came at a time when we needed leadership and direction. We needed a go to person to go to,” Beggs said.
Beggs also said Kell helped encourage city staff to grow within their departments.
“One of the things you did, you taught us to think outside the box, especially when budgeting time came around,” Beggs said. “How to make the best out of our budgets and how to be most efficient and how to actually procure materials and monies from where we didn’t think about before.
“You adapted to us very well. Because we all have our own management styles in our different departments, you accommodated each one of us.”
Beggs concluded, “We really appreciate you being here. We thank you. We wish the best for you.”
Kell responded, “I want to thank the council, the past council and this council, for all your support. I think we made big strides for the city. And I want to tell you that you have great department heads here. I’ve worked at a lot of places, I’ve worked with a lot of people and the department heads you have in this community, and the staff under them work together better than most of the people I’ve seen in government.
“A lot of times people got their own little kingdoms they’re trying to build and it’s always going to be at the expense of someone else. I never experienced that here. Men and women all work together very well and they try to do the best for the city first, and I think their own advancement and the advancement of their departments comes second.
“It’s been great and I’m going to miss it. Thanks.”
Kell will leave the city at the end of June. His successor, Sharon Eveland, has been working with him since her contract began April 10.