Syracuse Hires Town Manager

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

SYRACUSE - Syracuse will have a new town manager beginning later this month, the town council announced Tuesday in a special meeting.

Brian J. Redshaw, 43, of Sioux City, Iowa, was approved unanimously to begin his duties May 17. His contract was also unanimously approved.

Council President William Cutter said, "We had 40 applications. We spent a lot of time going over these. We got it down to six people. A few backed out so we didn't get to interview all six."

Redshaw was the Sioux City town manager for five years and recently stepped down from that position. Previously, he was the Waukee, Iowa, city manager for 15 years.

Cutter said Redshaw has good qualifications and recommendations, as well as a good attitude toward the job, outgoing personality and active community participation.

"This board was unanimous in this choice," Cutter said.

Council member Barbara Carwile said, "What impressed me was the questions we asked - there was no hesitation on his part and they were good answers."

The council is requiring Redshaw to be a resident of Turkey Creek Township by Sept. 1.

Town attorney Robert Reed suggested the council give him ample time to become a resident because "finding housing in this community is not easy, as we all know."

Redshaw has a masters of public administration degree with an emphasis in public management, and a bachelor's degree in political science.

He's married and has three children.

Redshaw will have to jump right into his job, since the first regular town council meeting is May 18, a day after he starts.

Redshaw was not at Tuesday's meeting. The council signed the contract and will fax him a temporary copy.

The council also unanimously decided to acquire land along Ind. 13 for the three-lane road expansion project.

Michael J. Waldron, with Butler Fairman and Seufert Inc. Engineers, Indianapolis, presented the prices to the council that can be offered to property owners along Ind. 13. The values were determined by Indiana Department of Transportation certified appraisers. Because the dollar values are protected by state law, they were not released to the media.

The figures were reviewed as Indiana law requires, Waldron said. The numbers are the maximum amount appraisers can offer the property owners.

About one acre from all property owners will be bought. Some land will be purchased only temporarily.

Waldron said the absolute earliest for awarding bids is fall or spring. Construction may begin in early spring.

"Once the project is let, we're probably looking at three to four months' construction time," he said.

If the land cannot be acquired at the appraised figures, the council will then have to start condemnation proceedings.

Property owners the council will seek to buy minimal land from include Lakeland Youth Inc., Liberty Homes Inc., Ernie and Julie Rogers, Robert and Debra Pilcher, E.A. McClure, C&J Realty, Paul and Barbara Markley, D.E. Hawkins et ux, McClain Revocable Trust, Gene and Carol Henschen, Larry Stewart and Michael Zielinski. [[In-content Ad]]

SYRACUSE - Syracuse will have a new town manager beginning later this month, the town council announced Tuesday in a special meeting.

Brian J. Redshaw, 43, of Sioux City, Iowa, was approved unanimously to begin his duties May 17. His contract was also unanimously approved.

Council President William Cutter said, "We had 40 applications. We spent a lot of time going over these. We got it down to six people. A few backed out so we didn't get to interview all six."

Redshaw was the Sioux City town manager for five years and recently stepped down from that position. Previously, he was the Waukee, Iowa, city manager for 15 years.

Cutter said Redshaw has good qualifications and recommendations, as well as a good attitude toward the job, outgoing personality and active community participation.

"This board was unanimous in this choice," Cutter said.

Council member Barbara Carwile said, "What impressed me was the questions we asked - there was no hesitation on his part and they were good answers."

The council is requiring Redshaw to be a resident of Turkey Creek Township by Sept. 1.

Town attorney Robert Reed suggested the council give him ample time to become a resident because "finding housing in this community is not easy, as we all know."

Redshaw has a masters of public administration degree with an emphasis in public management, and a bachelor's degree in political science.

He's married and has three children.

Redshaw will have to jump right into his job, since the first regular town council meeting is May 18, a day after he starts.

Redshaw was not at Tuesday's meeting. The council signed the contract and will fax him a temporary copy.

The council also unanimously decided to acquire land along Ind. 13 for the three-lane road expansion project.

Michael J. Waldron, with Butler Fairman and Seufert Inc. Engineers, Indianapolis, presented the prices to the council that can be offered to property owners along Ind. 13. The values were determined by Indiana Department of Transportation certified appraisers. Because the dollar values are protected by state law, they were not released to the media.

The figures were reviewed as Indiana law requires, Waldron said. The numbers are the maximum amount appraisers can offer the property owners.

About one acre from all property owners will be bought. Some land will be purchased only temporarily.

Waldron said the absolute earliest for awarding bids is fall or spring. Construction may begin in early spring.

"Once the project is let, we're probably looking at three to four months' construction time," he said.

If the land cannot be acquired at the appraised figures, the council will then have to start condemnation proceedings.

Property owners the council will seek to buy minimal land from include Lakeland Youth Inc., Liberty Homes Inc., Ernie and Julie Rogers, Robert and Debra Pilcher, E.A. McClure, C&J Realty, Paul and Barbara Markley, D.E. Hawkins et ux, McClain Revocable Trust, Gene and Carol Henschen, Larry Stewart and Michael Zielinski. [[In-content Ad]]

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