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11-12-2025 6:06pm
DPW Director Haapala Resigns, Saline Begins Replacement Process
The City of Saline is beginning its search for a new director of public works.
Zach Haapala, not a year into his tenure as Director of the DPW, announced his resignation, effective at the end of December.
"This is a critical position for the City relative to ensuring uninterrupted operations in the
DPW, and the administration of contracts. To ensure broad applicant pool, the City Manager has decided to seek the assistance of a professional search consultant," City Manager Dan Swallow told council Monday.
City Council agreed to spend $10,000 to use Pivot Group as a consultant for the search process.
The company will develop a job posting and work within its network to identfy potential candidates for the job. They will also assist in reviwing resumes and recommend top candidates for the job.
Councillor Janet Dillon said she looked up Pivot Group and was surprised to learn it was led by a marriage therapist. In the material submitted during the bidding process for the post, Pivot did not list DPW hirings, Dillon said.
She wanted to know which cities have used Pivot for DPW hirings and said she would like to talk to those cities to see whether the searches were successful.
"I know it is a hard position to hire for," she said.
Swallow said the company had experience finding department heads for governments.
Councillor Nicole Rice said one thing she liked about the Pivot group was that it offered a one-year placement guarantee.
"We can make sure that we find the right candidate who wants to be in the City of Saline and stay here and get some things going," Rice said.
A 6-0 vote passed the motion. Councillor Jack Ceo was absent.
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Replies
Eric J
Neighbor
11-12-2025 9:51pm
$10,000 .. yikes
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive
11-13-2025 12:46pm
At some point, you have to ask, is this the job of HR?
What about Deputy Director Marion?
Georgia B
Neighbor
11-13-2025 12:50pm
I agree. What a waste of money!
Raoul Duke
Neighbor
11-13-2025 6:51pm
Ryan Marion is their best option
PMF
Neighbor
11-15-2025 1:33pm
Isn’t this who hired him in the first place? If so, why would we want to repeat that?
Jon Hall
Neighbor
11-16-2025 7:57am
I'd quit to if I had to report to the likes of this liberal mess of a city. Lets toss the mayor under the bus isn't he the ultimate leader ? Hes not MAGA thats for sure look at the lack of results and progress!
Toby Crotty
Neighbor
11-12-2025 11:16pm
Another one bites the dust. I certainly understand. Who wants to work for a COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL city government? They do not care or support city employees or we would not have the turnover rate that is getting worse not better.
Our "elected" leaders also don't care about their constituents nor even LISTEN to us. They say "Come to council meetings so we can roll our eyes, look at you blindly and then we'll never address your concerns.. you got 2 minutes." What a joke!
This city government only works for their own agendas and constantly spends taxpayer money on "consultants" so they have a scapegoat! Saline is going to **** in a hand basket.
Vote them out. Start with Mike Johnson's twin brother and our "pro data center" Mayor
11-12-2025 11:27pm
Corrupt? Seems a bit too strong a charge to me. Young workers often want to move to higher paying jobs, or move closer to home.
Toby Crotty
Neighbor
11-12-2025 11:32pm
That’s right, CYA Tran. You are so funny!
Maybe “COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL” would be more appropriate.
Gotta love when an editor stifles his readers.
11-13-2025 12:43pm
Stifle? You said it. You get to say it and defend it.
PMF
Neighbor
11-15-2025 9:37am
Stifling would be deleting your post. Responding with an opinion is not stifling. Are you saying Tran should not be entitled to an opinion? Put down the info wars and get a life, boomer.
Toby Crotty
Neighbor
11-16-2025 1:09am
Is calling me a “boomer” meant as an insult? 🤔
So typical of your spoiled disrespectful generation. If it wasn’t for us “boomers” you would not have the life or rights you enjoy today.
Grow up, learn, respect
Eric
Neighbor
11-13-2025 8:03am
As a manager at my company, I am responsible for many of the tasks that the city is paying $10,000 to a consultant to handle in hiring a new DPW director. I understand the requirements and responsibilities of the role better than anyone else. Unlike typical positions, the city DPW job is unique to each community, meaning the consultant will need to collaborate with the city to develop a suitable job description.
It seems more practical for the person who will directly supervise the new DPW director to undertake this task rather than hiring an expensive consultant. You know what the role requires: create a job description, advertise the position, conduct interviews, and choose the best candidate who meets your needs and can work well with you, other city employees, and the citizens of Saline.
There is a significant disconnect in this process. If the $10,000 consultant was used to hire the outgoing director, it's no surprise that they are leaving before completing their first year.
________________________________________________
Raoul Duke
Neighbor
11-13-2025 6:53pm
Haapala was known to get in fights with the union that represents city workers. He had atleast 3 grievances against him for making decisions without the Union's approval. Good riddance.
