The village of Oak Park may soon need a new village manager as its current top administrator is one of four finalists for the city administrator post in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Village Manager Cara Pavlicek is among the four vying for the Ann Arbor position, according to an Aug. 11 report from the Ann Arbor News via MLive.com.
Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb told Wednesday Journal in an Aug. 14 phone call that he knew Pavlicek had been interviewing for the position but said he did not want to interfere.
“I think Cara is excellent at what she does,” Abu-Taleb said. “Any city would be lucky to have Cara.”
Pavlicek, along with the three other finalists, will undergo interviews with the Ann Arbor city council, city staff and members of the community Thursday, Aug. 20.
Ann Arbor city council will determine the next steps in the hiring process on Aug. 24, based on feedback provided by the community through a survey released the day of the interviews, the Ann Arbor News reported.
Regardless of how the situation plays out, Abu-Taleb will support Pavlicek.
“I wish for Cara the best,” Abu-Taleb said. “In whatever she decides to do, I’ll be 100 percent supportive.”
A brief biography and headshot of Pavlicek was included in the Ann Arbor News report. Pavlicek’s biography states she has been village manager of Oak Park since 2012, when she was first appointed to the position in an interim capacity.
“Cara has been a great leader for us, especially during this pandemic,” said Abu-Taleb. “She has been a hard worker, ethical, knowledgeable and just a great person all around.”
Wednesday Journal has reached out to Pavlicek for comment.
This story has been updated to include comments from Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb.
