Kelly Bean Hired as New Assistant to Mayor Doud

Kelly Bean

Mayor Margaret Doud has hired Kelly Bean as her administrative assistant. The new post replaces the full-time City Administrator position, which was abandoned in July 2003 with the departure of Gary Lennard.

Ms. Bean’s first day on the job was January 25. She will work 20 hours a week in the former city administrator’s office for $9 an hour, with no benefits.

Mayor Doud said four people applied, and Kelly Bean’s enthusiasm earned her the job.

Ms. Bean will work at city hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday for the winter, and probably from 8 a.m. to noon during the summer, said Mayor Doud.

Since Larry Jones resigned as city administrator and chief of police in December 2002, the city has been searching for a way to replace him, but has been unable to reach a consensus as to a job description. Council members said the term “administrator” may imply more power than what the city intends for the position, even though Mr. Jones had assumed over the years much of the administration of the city.

Mr. Lennard, who was hired in the spring of 2003, failed to reach an understanding with the mayor and city council about his role and left after several months and Council concluded that it wanted a secretary more than an administrator.

One of the most important duties Ms. Bean will be responsible for is seeking grants and writing grant applications for future city projects, a duty that Mr. Jones did well for the city, said Mayor Doud. Ms. Bean will also assist in revising the city’s master plan and implementing the city’s new addressing system with City Engineer Dennis Dombroski.

“With Kelly’s help, we’ll be able to accomplish more things much more quickly,” said Mayor Doud.

Other duties of mayor’s administrative assistant:

• Serve as liaison between various elected officials of the city, the various boards, subcommittees, commissions, authorities, and departments of the city.

• Serve as the mayor’s liaison between the city and various local, county, state, and federal governments and agencies.

• Prepare and assist with the budgetary functions of the city.

• Keep the mayor advised on all municipal activities and functions.

• Serve in other capacities as directed by the mayor.

Ms. Bean said she is looking forward to the new challenges and is also looking forward to working with all of the city officials. She continues to work at Union Terminal Piers hardware store on the coal dock.

Ms. Bean, originally from Dryden, near Flint, is a 1993 Lapeer West High School graduate. She has two daughters who attend Mackinac Island Public School, 10-year-old Hailey and seven-year-old Mackenzie.