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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...3f669405916.txt

Interim Sanitary District chief named

From Staff Reports
Published: Saturday, July 2, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Mayor Chuck Oberlie appointed Plant Superintendent Mike Milatovich on Friday afternoon to interim general manager of the Michigan City Sanitary District.

Milatovich succeeds Al Walus, who announced he was resigning from the post during a Wednesday press conference.

”I am pleased Mr. Milatovich has accepted the interim position and for the depth of knowledge and experience he brings,” Oberlie said in a Friday afternoon press release.

Milatovich, a 17-year Sanitary District employee, previously held the superintendent position at the City of Portage Water Reclamation Facility for 16 years.

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Milatovich was not available for comment Friday.

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Mayor working on Sanitary District posts

By Julie McClure
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, July 1, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Mayor Chuck Oberlie said Thursday he plans to meet with the three Sanitary District employees recommended to split the duties of general manager Al Walus, whose resignation is effective today.

Oberlie said he then will make the decision on interim staffing. The mayor is responsible for appointing a new general manager.

Walus’ resignation was accepted Wednesday at a special Board of Sanitary District Commissioners meeting. The board then agreed to send a recommendation to Oberlie that Sanitary District plant superintendent Mike Milatovic be named interim general manger. Because the board wants Milatovic to maintain his focus on plant operations, the board recommended Michael Hoffman, collection systems superintendent, and Doretha Sanders, administrative director, also share general manager duties until Oberlie makes a decision about appointing a new general manager.

Oberlie said he plans to have the interim management structure in place today.

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Walus announced Wednesday he is taking a job in the private sector, but declined to say what the new job is.

The mayor could not give a time frame as to when he might have a new general manager appointed, but did say he planned to look at “existing staffing” and “the possibility of moving up someone from within.”

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...67629041943.txt

Sanitary District shows professional approach in recommendation

Published: Friday, July 1, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
The Board of Sanitary District Commissioners made an impressive statement on Wednesday by recommending that three members of their current management team step up to split the duties for Al Walus, who is resigning effective today to take a job in the private sector.

By coming up with a sound plan for management of the sanitary district until a new general manager is named, the board showed a professional approach to oversight of the district and at the same time reiterated its confidence in the people they have hired to manage the day-to-day operations.

In a recommendation to Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie, the board asked Oberlie to appoint Sanitary District plant superintendent Mike Milatovic as interim general manager.

Milatovic has 16 years experience with the Sanitary District.

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Because the board members want Milatovic to maintain his focus on plant operations, they also asked Oberlie to have Michael Hoffman, collection systems superintendent and Doretha Sanders, administrative director, share in some of the general manager duties until a new general manager is named.

Oberlie said Thursday he is inclined to look within the current employment ranks for his appointment of a new general manager, and with the confidence the board has given to the current management team, it is possible the new general manager is waiting in the wings within the district right now.

Although the announcement of Walus’ resignation was sudden, the board and the management team have stepped up to provide Oberlie with a seamless transition in operations, making it easier for the mayor to move quickly to the task of hiring a new general manager.

It’s a good first step in the transition and the board should be commended for its foresight and professional approach.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...6b084812717.txt

Oberlie names Milatovich interim general manager

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Mayor Chuck Oberlie's appointment of Sanitary District Plant Superintendent Mike Milatovich to become to interim general manager was made official Tuesday afternoon as Milatovich met with the mayor at his office at around 1 p.m.

"I'm humbled to be asked to be the interim superintendent," Milatovich said. "It happened so suddenly I am now preoccupied with making certain we satisfy reporting requirements that I have not had to be concerned with in the past."

Milatovich has been with the Sanitary District for 17 years. The promotion from plant superintendent, a position he held for the last year, came two days after former General Manager Al Walus resigned from the post.

In addition to Milatovich, Doretha Sanders and Collection System Superintendent Michael Hoffman will assist with various general manager duties.

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"With the support of the assistants and other staff, I am confident we will stay the course and keep up with our requirements," Milatovich said.

Plant Superintendent Assistant of Operations David McCorvie will continue to work with Milatovich on plant superintendent duties.

Neither Oberlie nor Milatovich could give a time frame as to when a full-time replacement will be named.

"I serve at the pleasure of the board and am unsure of their plans," Milatovich said.

Oberlie did not confirm whether Milatovich is a candidate for the full-time position.