The man who has served not only as Director of Public Safety for the City of St. Joseph, but also as the community’s Assistant City Manager has tendered his resignation to City Manager John Hodgson.
Brian Uridge, who held both posts until Friday, resigned from both positions indicating he will “return to private industry” after stepping away.
City Manager John Hodgson confirms the resignation, and shared with me the letter dispatched to City Hall and members of the City Commission. Here is that letter:
Staff,
Recently, I have had the opportunity to return to private industry and private life. I have given City Manager, John Hodgson my notice to resign.
I have enjoyed working with the City of Saint Joseph as Director of Public Safety and Assistant City Manager. More than that, I have enjoyed getting to know the wonderful people in this city.
We have achieved the goals I and the City had set for us when I joined Saint Joseph government. Now it is time for me to move on to new challenges.
I thank the City Commissioners, City Manager and the citizens of this great city for giving me the opportunity to lead an excellent Public Safety Department and the fine women and men who are part of it.
Stay Safe,
Brian
Brian Uridge
Director of Public Safety
Assistant City Manager
City of Saint Joseph
269.985.0300
Hodgson will waste no time in filling those vital roles for the city. He says that tomorrow night’s City Commission agenda will include a recommendation from Hodgson to place Steve Neubecker into the role of Interim or Acting Director at the Department of Public Safety. Commission consent is required for any selection of Public Safety Director, so Hodgson would like to have their consent on an interim or acting director as well.
Side-by-side with that recommendation, Hodgson will also ask for Commission consent of his choice of Tom MacDonald to serve as Interim or Acting Assistant City Manager until things can be settled at City Hall.
Stay tuned.
Uridge had served just under two years in the Director’s position, having come to the lakeshore from a 23-year run with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. He brought to the role multiple talents including experience in law enforcement, firefighting and as an emergency medical responder as well as a breadth of administrative experience.
Uridge’s predecessor, Mark Clapp had retired in April of 2016 after a 25-year career with the city including the final 15 as Chief of the Police and Public Safety Departments.
