KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo City Commissioners have interviewed three candidates for City Attorney and the one thing they agree on is they will have a tough decision to make on Monday, December 5.
They could have picked the winner after their interviews they conducted on Thursday, December 1, but there was no clear stand out.
Flint City Attorney William Kim has dealt with that city’s water, diversity and financial issues. Julianne Pastula with the City of Detroit is strong on housing and diversity. And Kalamazoo attorney James Porter knows the local players through his experience working with Oshtemo Township Government.
Kalamazoo City Mayor Dave Anderson suggested holding off on the decision until they can get input from the public and City Attorney’s staff, who also met with the candidates.
“We are prohibited from getting together and deliberating on this and deciding who’s our number one and how we want to work that,” stressed Anderson who said that they wanted to make the final choice in a public setting. And Commissioners intend to do this by putting it on Monday’s regular Commission agenda.
Commissioner Esteven Juarez said they will have a lot to consider over the weekend.
“They all have qualities that if we could all put them in one, it would be great,” said Juarez.
Commissioner Stephanie Hoffman says while they are considering three very good candidates for the position, there will be no perfect one that will make everyone happy.
“This is not an easy decision to come to. And understanding that no matter what decision is made, there are going to be naysayers and there are going to be people who support,” said Hoffman.
The interviews have been posted on the city’s Youtube site and resume’s and additional information on the candidates was in the city commission packet for the interview session. They are looking for a replacement for Clyde Robinson who was the City Attorney in Battle Creek before he was hired to serve in the same position in Kalamazoo 14 years ago.
Reporting by: John McNeill
