March 3, 2005

Hawkey named acting manager of Yellow Springs

By Robert Mihalek

Village Planner Phil Hawkey was appointed on Monday acting Village manager, after the top Village administrator, Rob Hillard, took time off this week because of health concerns.

Hillard is expected to be out for several weeks, though, based on interviews with several Village officials, it’s unclear exactly how long he will be off work.

Village Council president Tony Arnett expressed confidence that Hillard will return to his duties with the Village. “I have every expectation he’ll be back on the job,” Arnett said.

Upon request of Hillard and his family, questions about the manager are being directed to Hawkey.

On Monday afternoon, Hawkey said that Hillard is being treated for exhaustion. “He’s resting comfortably and he’s doing what he is supposed to be doing,” Hawkey said.

During a special meeting Monday — originally called to discuss extending Village sewer service to Morris Bean & Co. — Council unanimously agreed to appoint Hawkey to the interim position.

Both Hawkey and Arnett said that an acting manager was needed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Village. Hawkey indicated that he would be managing the status quo at the Bryan Community Center. For instance, Hawkey, who is 53, is now authorized to manage the Village budget, including approving purchase orders and funding for projects, material and services.

By appointing Hawkey the acting manager, Council is following the guidelines in the Village Charter, which authorize Council to “designate some properly qualified person to execute the functions” of the manager’s office “during the absence or disability of the Village manager.”

“The business of government has to continue so we’re going to authorize Phil to act in Rob’s stead,” Arnett said before the Council meeting. Arnett said that Hillard recommended that Council appoint Hawkey the interim manager. Hawkey has “firsthand knowledge” of the projects the Village is undertaking, Arnett said.

On Monday, Hawkey was still trying to learn his new responsibilities, noting that he was “trying to stay ahead of things.” Hawkey said he was confident he would be a suitable backup for Hillard.

“I know what I don’t know, so I can ask questions,” he said.

Hawkey joined the Village as the part-time zoning administrator in April 2003, then was promoted to the full-time job of Village planner, a position Hillard created. As planner Hawkey is responsible for overseeing the Village’s planning and zoning processes, as well as organizing and implementing capital projects and overseeing requests made to the Public Works Department.

He worked for 21 years as an engineering assistant for the city of Celina. He was responsible for zoning administrations and inspection, traffic planning and managing numerous improvement projects. He also helped draft new land use plans, zoning codes and subdivision regulations for the city and from Mercer County. For a time, he served as the president of the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission.

He has a B.A. in environmental design from Antioch’s former Washington, D.C./Baltimore campus. He and his wife, Sue, moved to Yellow Springs in 2000. They have two daughters, Rachel and Ellen.

Hawkey is now handling business that would normally go through the manager’s office. He may be reached at 767-3702 or phawkey@yso.com.

He asked that Yellow Springers be patient as the Village works through this period.