Ishpeming city manager position open after candidate declines offer

ISHPEMING — The search for a new city manager in Ishpeming continues.

After a lengthy search and interview process, Ishpeming city manager candidate Fred Ventresco has declined the position.

In a regular meeting held last night, the city council decided to go in a different direction to find new candidates.

“We voted tonight to do what we probably should’ve done 4 months ago,” said Karl Lehmann, Ishpeming mayor. “And that’s to go with the Michigan Municipal League. Let them do the job search, the’ll bring a series of candidates, do background checks, and so on. They can get into places we didn’t know where to look.”

Ventresco cited several reasons for declining the position, such as another job offer, as well as concerns the council had with gaps in his employment history.

The city council also approved $14,000 to be set aside for the Michigan Municipal League.

For now, interim city manager James Lampman will remain at his current post until the search and hiring process is complete.