The village of Minerva will start the new year by searching for a new village administrator.
Philip Turske has been the village’s administrator for the last three years, but on Friday he notified village council members that he will be resigning from the post effective January 13, 2023, to assume the same role in the city of Norton.
“Thank you for the support and the opportunities you have provided me over the course of the last three years,” he said in his resignation letter. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished and wish you nothing but continued success in the future.”
Turske was hired in October of 2019 as Minerva’s administrator, replacing longtime Administrator David Harp, who retired after spending about 30 years on the job. Turske was hired in at $70,000/year.
Norton Mayor Mike Zita recommended Turske to take over for Robert Fowler, who is leaving to become assistant city manager for Mentor Dec. 9. City council approved the appointment of Turske with a 5-1 vote – his salary will be $90,000 per year.
“[I’m] just happy to be here and be considered for this role,” said Turske during the City of Norton meeting. “I believe this is a great opportunity for myself and for Norton. I feel as though I can bring a lot to the city and look forward to getting started.”
In addition to his time as the administrator for the village of Minerva, Turske has also served as a grant administrator for the city of Lorain.
The appointment of Turske in Norton doesn’t come without opposition.
Norton Councilwoman Charlotte Whipkey (at large) stated at the council meeting that she wasn’t comfortable with the hiring of Turske.
“I’m not really comfortable with your amount of experience,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a little bit more than you think it is, particularly.”
She said she would’ve been more comfortable if Turske started out on a probational period.
“Knowing how Norton can be, I would’ve been more comfortable if we started you out on a probation type period, we’ve been known to do that before, so with that I’ll be saying no,” Whipkey noted.
Besides Whipkey, the rest of Norton council voted in favor Turske.
He said the decision to leave Minerva was tough.
“While it was an extremely difficult decision to leave Minerva, the opportunity in Norton was one that I could not let pass,” Turske said. “I look forward to the new challenges and professional development.”
He said Minerva wasn’t only a big part of his life professionally, but personally as well.
“Minerva will always be a part of my family’s life, as it was during our time here that my wife and I got married, bought our first house, and welcomed our son into the world,” Turske said. “While I may be leaving as the administrator, I will always visit as a Lion.”