Bad Axe holds first wave of city manager interviews

This was the first of two scheduled sessions of interviews for the city manager position, which the city needs to fill within 90 days (Aug. 15) of the official resignation date per the Michigan Municipal League. In this meeting, three of the six candidates were asked varying degrees of questions regarding their employment history and various topics that could relate to the job. 

The interviews were conducted by council member Clark McKimmy with Mayor Kathleen Particka, with the rest of the council asking follow-up questions afterward.

Matthew Jurgess 

Matthew Jurgess is a member of the Bad Axe Area Fire Department and a former business owner who lives in Verona Township. 

“I would say over the last five years or so… I started seeing more interaction between our youth athletics leagues and our city and county boards,” said Jurgess. “I enjoy that interaction, I like how they can all work together. We can help each other.”

Jurgess is also a part of the Bad Axe Youth Baseball League board and the Huron County Hockey Association board.

Scott Boshart

Scott Boshart is a former city employee with a background in engineering and was the former director of public works.

“I started out as an operator for water and sewer and came up from ground level,” said Boshart. “I know what it takes to do things. I came up through the ranks and worked my way up. I know what to look for in these facilities.”

Boshart has worked with city managers before during his time with the DPW and has worked on and with the infrastructure for the city.

Brandt Rousseaux

Brandt Rousseaux served in the U.S. Coast Guard and managed different companies before moving back to Michigan to Port Austin, where he has served as the chamber of commerce president and as a member of the Port Austin Township Board.

“I think Bad Axe is the core nucleus of which the rest of (the Thumb) operates,” said Rousseaux. “We all have our unique characteristics from Harbor Beach to Caseville, Port Austin, Cass City, and Ubly. Bad Axe is the center of it all and the county seat. Everything needs to pass through Bad Axe. … I think there is a great opportunity in Bad Axe and everything good that happens in Bad Axe impacts the rest of us.”

Roussueaux has ties to Bad Axe, as he had both his children graduate from Bad Axe High School, and he wants to see the town succeed.

The remaining three candidates were scheduled to be interviewed on June 23 in a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Bad Axe City Hall.