BRIGHTON – Members of Brighton City Council accepted the resignation of city manager Nate Heinzer on May 31 during a special meeting Monday at Brighton City Hall.
Council members voted 6-1 to move to a closed session immediately after the meeting began talking to their attorney. Heinzer was not invited to the closed session.
According to Pro Tem Mayor Jim Bon, who read the first sentence of Heinzer’s resignation statement, the reason for the manager’s departure is due to differences in approaches.
“It has become increasingly clear that my professional priorities and approach to public service no longer coincide with the priorities of the city council,” Bon said.
The council, returning from a closed session, voted 5-2 in favor of resigning, with council members John Emmaus and Susan Gardner disagreeing.
Emmaus said he could not understand the reason for Heinzer’s resignation after he was experiencing phenomenal success in Brighton. He added that he feels like an employer (city council) to Heinzer that the blame for his departure lies with the commission.
“I think we let our mayor down,” Emmaus said.
Heinzer urged the council not to delay the search process and added that he would not participate in the on-site interview if asked.
Mayor Christopher L. Tobb urged board members to bring a list of four search firms with municipal experience before the next meeting, scheduled for April 7.
Emmaus added that council members should take a long and close look at themselves and a long, close look at the mayor they are looking for so that they do not find themselves in the same situation again.