2007.07.11: July 11, 2007: Headlines: COS - Honduras: city Government: Gaylord Herald Times: Honduras RPCV Robert Straebel will become Charlevoix’s new city manager
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2007.07.11: July 11, 2007: Headlines: COS - Honduras: city Government: Gaylord Herald Times: Honduras RPCV Robert Straebel will become Charlevoix’s new city manager
Honduras RPCV Robert Straebel will become Charlevoix’s new city manager
Straebel is proud of his work with the Peace Corp. in Honduras, where he implemented a junior achievement program into a local public high school in one of the poorest areas in the country. “It was a teaching tool to empower them to start their own business,” Straebel said. The students developed three companies that involved both the making and selling of products- an oven mitt company, a wooden lamp company and a cookies and cake company. “I’m confident that many of the students learned quite a bit about business practices and took the new education forward,” Straebel said. He said that the language and cultural differences were difficult for him in the first year or so, but soon he became acclimated to the community. “Folks had such a positive and enriching life given the circumstances,” Straebel said.
Honduras RPCV Robert Straebel will become Charlevoix’s new city manager
New manager doesn’t fear past politics
Straebel to assume city manager's role Sept. 1
By Stefanie Carano Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:07 AM EDT
This September Robert Straebel of Taos Ski Valley, N.M. will become Charlevoix’s new city manager.
“I am ready to commit to Charlevoix for three years,” Straebel said.
Though he currently resides in the Southwest, Michigan is not an unfamiliar state to him. Straebel was born and raised in Saginaw and is a graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids. His mother currently lives on the south tip of Torch Lake.
“She’s very happy to hear I’m coming back to Michigan,” Straebel said.
As for the departure of the previous city manager, he said he is not nervous about replacing Michael Wiesner.
“I am confident that I can come in there and work in a pleasurable and professional manner,” Straebel said. “I’ve never been fired, I’ve had a great track record for the past 10 years.”
His track record includes five years of municipal management in Hayden, Colo. and five years in Taos Ski Valley.
Hayden is a community in northwest Colorado about 30 miles from Steamboat Springs
“It’s largely a bedroom community for residents,” Straebel said. “We had a lot of big proposals for residential homes, commercial developments. I was very proactive in managing growth and establishing urban growth boundaries.”
Taos Ski Valley, where he is currently village manager, is a resort skiing village in the Rocky Mountains.
“Being at 9,200 feet, we have a short construction season, our winter begins in October,” Straebel said. “During the summertime we are making large investments into infrastructure and improving aging infrastructure.”
In addition to these accomplishments, Straebel is proud of his work with the Peace Corp. in Honduras, where he implemented a junior achievement program into a local public high school in one of the poorest areas in the country.
“It was a teaching tool to empower them to start their own business,” Straebel said.
The students developed three companies that involved both the making and selling of products- an oven mitt company, a wooden lamp company and a cookies and cake company.
“I’m confident that many of the students learned quite a bit about business practices and took the new education forward,” Straebel said.
He said that the language and cultural differences were difficult for him in the first year or so, but soon he became acclimated to the community.
“Folks had such a positive and enriching life given the circumstances,” Straebel said.
Straebel has accepted a three year contract with the city. In addition to his $79,000 salary and benefits package, the city has offered an additional $2,500 to help Straebel move his family from New Mexico, a 1,635 mile move.
He will assume his post on Sept. 1.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: July, 2007; Peace Corps Honduras; Directory of Honduras RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Honduras RPCVs; City Government; Michigan
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Story Source: Gaylord Herald Times
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Honduras; city Government
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