[August 30, 2011] Chippewa Falls mayor makes city clerk choice Tweet Aug 30, 2011 (The Leader-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- CHIPPEWA FALLS -- A clerk/secretary in the Chippewa Falls school district has been recommended to become the next Chippewa Falls city clerk. Melvina McCabe, who has worked for the school district for the past 15 years, was selected by Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman to fill the position. Current City Clerk Rae Buckwheat announced in June she will retire Sept. 29. "I'm very excited," McCabe, 53, said Monday afternoon. "I'm looking forward to the challenge." Hoffman said he received about 30 applications for the clerk's position. "Mel definitely stood out, with her experience," Hoffman said. "She doesn't have the government background, but she has an understanding of what has to be done. She's a very thorough individual, and that's what we need in a city clerk." As mayor, Hoffman can recommend appointments on a handful of jobs, including the city clerk, but those appointments must be approved by the City Council. Hoffman said he will request the council hire McCabe at the Sept. 6 City Council meeting. "If approved by the Council, Ms. McCabe would be able to start on Sept. 12 and have approximately three weeks to work with Rae before she leaves," city finance manager Lynne Bauer wrote in an email to the council members. Hoffman backs the idea of McCabe starting soon and being able to work for a bit with Buckwheat. "It's very beneficial for someone to come in and spend time with the previous individual," Hoffman said. The city will pay McCabe $41,055 this year, Bauer said. In her application, McCabe acknowledged she doesn't have certified municipal clerk training. While at Chi-Hi, McCabe helped supervise and carry out the registration process. "With that experience, we believe she would be extremely comfortable with the election process as well as other aspects of the City Clerk's office," Bauer wrote. "We believe the interview process revealed Mel to be an extremely hard working and dedicated individual. In addition, she is comfortable with technology, is detail oriented and enjoys working with the public." All newly hired department directors who work for the city are required to live in Chippewa Falls within one year of being hired. Buckwheat didn't live in city limits, and her one-year anniversary is next month. Hoffman noted that McCabe lives within the city. Vetter can be reached at 715-723-0303 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2011 the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) Visit the Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wis.) at www.leadertelegram.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]