By Frank Walsh
When we start a new position in a community everything seems to be “perfect.” You settle in your office, meet the team and get to know the community and the city council’s vision. It’s an exciting time as the new manager enjoys the honeymoon phase.
For the next 5–10 years things continue to go well as you pay down the legacy debt, conduct a community fundraiser and build a new fire station, fix the local roads and build an incredible team of leaders. It’s normal to begin to think of yourself as a peach surrounded by a team that enjoys cobbler, pie and smoothies. For many of us who have chosen the field of municipal management, there comes a time when you begin to wonder if the city council and the community still have a hankering for peaches. In your mind, you’re still the peach that arrived 10 years ago and wonder if there is something wrong with your pit. Or, did the community move over time to more of an “pear” or “kiwi” community. Have things changed so much in your community that even a juicy peach is no longer a “fit pit” for the community? Let’s face it, you can be the juiciest peach in the orchard but there are elected officials who don’t care for peaches.
Each of us must face the reality that even the best of peaches eventually bruise and often times are discarded. This is a perfect time to self-reflect. It’s not a time to try and change everything about you and become a pear. There are plenty of communities looking for that “peach.” Our advice is, be kind to yourself and don’t get bitter, get better. Most importantly, don’t let a bump in your career road take a toll on your mental health. Love yourself.
The Member Success Committee is here to help our entire association in their own orchard. We hope you enjoyed our Hershey’s Appreciation Bar at the summer conference in Frankenmuth. A great conference in a great community. By the way, did you know Zhender’s serves delicious “peach pie?”
Frank Walsh
Chair, Member Success Committee
Manager, Meridian Charter Township
At the age of 19, Frank Walsh was elected as a trustee of Henrietta Township. After six years in public office, Frank went on to pursue a career in municipal management. The Cedar Springs City Council appointed Frank as their city manager in 1991. He was then hired by the St. Joseph City Commission in 1996 and served the residents of St. Joseph for 17 years. In 2007, Walsh was awarded the State of Michigan’s City Manager Award, the highest award given in municipal management. He became the Meridian Township manager in 2013. Over his decade of service, the township has established a new 10-year local road program, greatly improved maintenance of its facilities and assets, fully funded the township OPEB system, established a plan to fully fund its pension system, and nearly tripled its fund balance. He has also led the township through numerous challenges, including the 2013 ice storm that left thousands without power for many days. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Toledo and a bachelor’s of science degree from Grand Valley State University. Volunteerism Member and former president of the Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club, Walsh lives in Meridian Township (Okemos) with his wife, Shar. They recently celebrated their 30th anniversary and raised three children together: Casey, Mersadie, and Brooke.