Birmingham Honors Outgoing City Manager

Some of Birmingham's most influential citizens turned out Friday night to honor outgoing City Manger Tom Markus Friday night, recognizing his 22 years of service at a reception at the .

"Birmingham would not be the place it is without Tom's leadership," said City Commission Mayor Gordon Rinschler.

Markus will be leaving to take over the city manager in Iowa City, IA, at the end of the month.

Besides city commissioners and other top officials, Oakland County Commissioner David Potts and Michigan Representative Chuck Moss also were in attendance.

Moss said Markus has been crucial in making Birmingham one of the strongest communities in Oakland County, particularly through his honesty.

"There's a lot of money that floats around this town," Moss said. "(However) the leadership in Birmingham has been above reproach legally, ethically and morally."

Markus came to Birmingham in 1989, taking over from former City Manager Bob Kenning. Kenning, Markus said, had been Birmingham's chief executive office since 1965.

"That's two city managers in 45 years," Markus said. "That's an unheard of record for the city manager profession."

There was no doubt, Markus said, what was expected of him, and he has full faith in the city commission as they move forward to hire Birmingham's new city manager. Assistant City Manager Joe Valentine will act as. City commission will meet for a special session Monday to discuss the interviewing process for city manager candidates.

'One of the best'

The consensus was clear Friday night: Markus will be missed.

"He's one of the best city managers, one of the best guys, and one of my best friends," Rinschler said.

Rinschler brought up the recently completed renovations to Shain Park, a project, he said, that would not have gotten off the ground if not for Markus's leadership.

"He would not let go of an idea that he knew was right for Birmingham," Rinschler said. At its Nov. 8 meeting, the Birmingham City Commission the Shain Park pavilion the Thomas M. Markus Pavilion.

Markus urged everyone in attendance to consider city staff, elected officials and Birmingham citizens as the true bedrock of the community. He said the city will continue to thrive, and is sure city commission will pick whoever is right for the job.

"If they don't," he said, "then the citizens will be all over it."