This past week, the Marquette City Commission accepted Bill Vajda’s resignation from his post as city manager. As the city’s chief administrator, Vajda’s role in Marquette over the past five years has been busy.

He’s paved the way for several projects, including, and possibly most noteworthy, the Duke LifePoint replacement hospital and relocation of the city’s Municipal Service Center.

When complete, the city will essentially have a new service center paid for through tax reimbursements, and see significant tax revenue from the hospital complex after financial obligations related to brownfield redevelopment are retired.

In addition to that, the city has seen a number of other changes under Vajda’s watch, including a few aimed specifically at economic development.

The establishment of the city’s SmartZone, Innovate Marquette, and the agreement with Marquette and Delta counties regarding creation of the Superior Trade Zone are two such items that recently came about.

Marquette commissioners have also publicly stated that they believe the city’s relationships with state legislators and leaders are stronger now because of the former city manager’s efforts.

It’s unfortunate that Vajda decided to leave, but we believe he’s got Marquette going in the right direction and wish him the best in whatever his next endeavor may be.

With Vajda making his exit, the commission appointed Marquette police Chief Mike Angeli to stand in as acting city manager.

Though Angeli hasn’t yet been appointed to the position permanently, he currently faces some significant challenges, including the ongoing hospital project and the city’s Michigan Tax Tribunal issues, both of which have important deadlines approaching in the near future.

On top of that, though most of the leg work is done, the city still needs to finalize its budget for next fiscal year.

However, holding the position as city manager is nothing new for Angeli. He’s filled in for Vajda in certain situations and stood as acting city manager for several months before Vajda was hired five years ago.

The commission says he’s aware of all the projects and challenges the city has to deal with, and he’s attended most, if not all of the city meetings as police chief.

Whether the commission decides to offer Angeli the long-term job as city manager, or if he chooses to accept it, we have confidence that he will either way maintain the course established by his predecessor and keep Marquette moving forward.