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DMT director resigns for Indiana position [Commercial-News, Danville, Ill. :: ](Commercial-News (Danville, IL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 28--DANVILLE -- It took city officials more than a year, starting in 2011, to find the current Danville Mass Transit director. Now they'll have to start over. DMT Director John Metzinger has resigned after two years in the position. Mayor Scott Eisenhauer issued a press release Friday stating, "It is with extreme regret that this week I have accepted the resignation of Director of Public Transportation John Metzinger. We wish Director Metzinger the best of luck in his new endeavor, having accepted an opportunity to return to his hometown and purse a leadership position in their transportation department. "Director Metzinger has been a tremendous asset to the City of Danville, and many of the steps he has taken to move Danville Mass Transit forward will guide us successfully for the next several years. His leadership in transportation and in personal development will pay dividends to our community, and those who benefit from the transportation services, for decades," Eisenhauer aid. Metzinger's final day as DMT director is July 11. Starting July 12, DMT operations supervisor Lisa Beith will serve as DMT interim director until the completion of the process to name a new director, according to Eisenhauer. The city council approved Metzinger as DMT director in June 2012. He took over after Dick Brazda retired in 2011 after serving as director since 2003. Metzinger had worked as manager of development since 2001 at CityBus in Lafayette, Ind. Eisenhauer said at the time of Metzinger's hiring, there were about eight viable candidates city officials interviews. "By far what impressed us most was his passion for transportation," Eisenhauer then said. Eisenhauer said Metzinger understands "the way in which all modes of transportation need to work together in order to have a successful system." Eisenhauer said it took so long to find the right person for the job because of Eisenhauer's own long-standing philosophy of not to hire the best person out of a pool, but to hire the right person. Metzinger's salary this fiscal year was $72,140. In a statement, Metzinger said, "I have accepted the position of manager of administration/chief financial officer at CityBus in Lafayette-West Lafayette, Ind. It is going to be a great move for me professionally, but also personally as Lafayette is my hometown and I will be closer and more connected with family there. "The experience in Danville has been fantastic. I am proud of the work that has been done to improve transit service through route expansion, add bike racks to the fleet, complete installation of our new fare collection system and secure capital grants for bus replacement and construction of the new transfer center," Metzinger said. "I will miss the many wonderful people I work with. DMT employees are hard-working and dedicated. I would also like to thank the mayor and city council for bringing me to Danville and supporting my efforts here. DMT will be in capable hands as Lisa Beith, operations manager, takes the reigns as interim director next month," Metzinger said. ___ (c)2014 the Commercial-News (Danville, Ill.) Visit the Commercial-News (Danville, Ill.) at www.commercial-news.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |