Council appoints Schlegel as interim town manager
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Deputy Township Manager Helene Schlegel has been appointed by the Township Council to serve as Howell's interim manager.

Schlegel will begin working as the interim manager on Aug. 7 and serve in that capacity until the council hires a replacement for departing Township Manager Thomas Czerniecki.

In naming her to the position of interim township manager, council members praised Schlegel and said that at this point in time she was the most appropriate choice to hold the position.

"Ms. Schlegel started (working for Howell) as a part-time employee (in 1987). She has risen through the ranks. It is a pleasure to have her in the capacity that she has been in," Mayor Joseph DiBella said. "With Mr. Czerniecki leaving, as unfortunate as that is, I could not think of anyone who is more qualified to keep this ship afloat until we have a permanent manager. The community is in exceptionally capable hands and she certainly has my vote of confidence."

Czerniecki shared the same sentiment, saying, "Helene is committed to our profession and to its highest ideals. I have great faith and confidence that she will do an outstanding job as interim manager."

Deputy Mayor Robert Walsh said, "I look forward to working with Ms. Schlegel. I think she will do a fine job. We will take it from there and over a period of time try to make a decision on who will best serve Howell" as the new township manager.

Schlegel, 52, said her No. 1 goal as Howell's interim manager will be to implement policies that have approved by the mayor and council. She said she is ready to perform her duties and noted that the interim manager's position is not too different from her current job.

"Part of my job description as deputy manager is to act as township manager whenever (that individual) is absent. The only difference between the two is that as the acting interim manager I am the last person in line. There's a higher level of accountability," she said.

Nevertheless, Schlegel said she is up for the challenge. Asked if she is interested in seeking the manager's position, she said, "I am taking everything day by day."

She said capital improvement projects such as the Bonim Park complex and the construction of a park in the Freewood Acres section of Howell will continue. In addition, Schlegel said she plans to assist the council members in their search for a township manager.

Prior to being named Howell's deputy township manager in July 2006, Schlegel had been the community's director of parks and recreation since 1998. She has lived in Howell for 24 years.