ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The citizens of Ishpeming had a chance to meet their new City Manager, Randy Scholz, at a reception Thursday at the Mather Inn.
Scholz comes to Ishpeming from Chippewa County, Wisconsin, where he served as the County Administrator for the past seven years. He says his management style is one of confronting issues head-on in a collaborative environment.
“I get a lot of energy off from people trying to solve problems. So I like complex problems and coming up with solutions with a lot of other people, including the citizens and the board, and employees. That really gives me energy. It always has,” explained Scholz.
So, what drew him to the job in Ishpeming? Well, the people, both in and out of City Hall.
“What I like is that people care and that they’re involved in their local government. And I think it’s all about the people,” said Scholz.
Ishpeming is not without its challenges, and like many small towns with an aging infrastructure and financial concerns, economic growth is essential.
“It’s really about economic growth. I mean, that’s really what you have to do. So that’s really what, I think, probably what the council is going to concentrate on,” said Scholz.
The son of a lumberjack, this Tomahawk, Wisconsin native, explains his vision for Ishpeming this way.
“It’s not my vision. It’s not about Randy, it’s about the people. So it’s going to be their vision through the council, and then my job is to make that vision happen,” said Scholz.
Ishpeming Mayor Pat Scanlon is very impressed with Scholz’s due diligence in preparing for this job.
“He looked back at years of council meetings, and he got our budget. And he got our charter, so he was well versed on Ishpeming before he applied,” said Scanlon.
So far, Scholz has hit the ground running and has impressed many city officials in his brief time in Ishpeming.
