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Botkins administrator ousted |
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Wednesday, 25 February 2009 |
By ANDREA POTEET
Staff Writer
BOTKINS — Botkins Village Administrator Michael VanBrocklin is no longer the village’s highest-ranking employee, staying on only until a replacement is found.
Botkins Village Council members voted Tuesday to remove VanBrocklin as village administrator.
“We felt the village needed to go in another direction with that position,” Council President Craig Brown said.
Council members declined to comment further on the matter.
Mayor Steve Woodruff said VanBrocklin will stay on as village administrator until a replacement is chosen and trained.
VanBrocklin served as village administrator for 10 years.
“I’ve enjoyed serving the people of Botkins and will miss interacting with many of them,” VanBrocklin said in a statement released to the Wapakoneta Daily News.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, VanBrocklin noted the village’s attempted casino project with the Eastern Shawnee American Indian tribe of Oklahoma among the most important projects he has been a part of as village administrator.
“That consumed a good three years of pretty consistent research,” VanBrocklin said. “It was probably one of the biggest events to come to the county, and it’s still in play, as far as being a viable project with the future.
The village began working towards building a casino with the tribe in Botkins on the federal level in 2003,Va Brocklin said. He cites former President George Bush’s policies as a reason the project was delayed.
“The Bush administration didn’t favor expanded tribal economic activity,” VanBrocklin said. “The hope is with Obama and a change in direction, it could make a difference in future applications.”
VanBrocklin also cited the growing infrastructure of the area among the largest projects, including a village-wide storm tile project, and upgrading water lines on West State Street, and the pruchasing and development of Industrial Park, begun in 2000.
He said his biggest accomplishment was developing close relationships with Sidney and surrounding communities. He also spearheaded the effort to bring in an alternate communications provider, NKTelco, in 2007.
“I’ve tried to go out there and market Botkins and put a different face on it and try to integrate us into the community with area activities,” VanBrocklin said.
Woodruff swore in Steve Heuker to fill the position vacated by Andy Yenser in January, Yenser left citing personal reasons.
Heuker was the only applicant for the position, Woodruff said.
Heuker, a lifelong resident of the village, works as an electrician at Botkins Electric.
“I was approached by council members to fill the position,” Heuker said. “I hope I can help the community grow.”
Council members also approved an ordinance to accept $5,380.30 from FEMA to reimburse the village for expenses during a windstorm in September, 2008. The village had to use more manpower to collect limbs and clean up from the storm, Clerk Ed Brown said.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 February 2009 )
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