Smolinski

ALPENA — The new city manager in Alpena will begin settling into her new role on Monday, when she will start to work side-by-side with outgoing City Manager Greg Sundin for the next several weeks before taking over his position on her own.

Rachel Smolinski was hired by the Alpena Municipal Council in October to replace Sundin, who is retiring.

Smolinski said she is eager to begin her new job, but admits there will be a period of adjustment and learning to start.

Smolinski, who just wrapped up her duties as director of the Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority and executive director of HARBOR Inc., holds a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in public administration and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University’s School of Agriculture, with a specialty in aquatic biology.

During her time in the Harbor Springs and Petoskey, Smolinski worked closely with city managers, boards, and other community partners, which she said has prepared her for the next step in her career.

She’s happy that step is in Alpena, where she has family ties.

“My past employment has helped me to be a good representative of the people, develop policy, and develop good relationships, which will help me to represent my community in the best and most useful way,” Smolinski said. “I have done grant-writing, and my science degrees have helped me know how to do thorough research on topics and issues so we can make the most educated decision possible.”

Smolinski is married to Shadd Smolinski and is the mother of three sons and a daughter. She also loves animals and has a pair of dogs and two cats, which she said she loves dearly.

While living on the other side of the state, Smolinski was involved in the local curling league and she said she also loves to hike, hunt, fish, and go boating.

She said being a volunteer in the community is important to her and being involved in local groups and organizations is critical in making the community a better place. She said she intends to join some local organizations in Alpena, but will hold off for a spell until she gets acclimated to her new job and her family gets settled.

“I think it is going to be critical for me to be involved with things outside of my job and to be out in the community with its stakeholders,” she said.

Petoskey Chamber of Commerce President Carlin Smith said he has worked with Smolinski many times, including on a collaboration project with the Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership, which was established to address a housing crisis in that area.

“I’ll tell you she is always on top of things, and a good leader,” Smith said. “She is motivated, hard-working, and works well with others. As a person, Rachel is warm, with a good sense of humor, with an uplifting personality. She is the type of person you enjoy being around.”

Georgia Abbot, owner of Abbott and Associates, which offers business development consulting services, said she has worked with Smolinski and called her highly motivated, professional, disciplined, and a good listener.

“She’s flexible, adaptive, diplomatic, and able to collect and process different perspectives and opinions on issues and apply that information into her decision-making process,” Abbot said. “I have no doubt in my mind that she will be a successful city manager in Alpena, and the people there will love her.”

Smolinski will be critical as the city moves into the new year and her thoughts and recommendations to council will help determine the direction the city takes on some hot-button issues, including economic development, marijuana, parking, and the years-long dispute with Alpena Township over water and sewer rates.

She said her short-term goals are to get settled and better-acquainted with the community and the staff at City Hall and with council members. Then she’ll begin to find solutions to some of the lingering issues the city faces, with help from the time, work, and thoughts of many besides herself.

“I want to continue to keep an eye on economic development and housing in Alpena, as well as building a strong workforce,” she said. “I also want to get the lawsuit with the township resolved, address marijuana and parking. That is just a short list, but those are some pretty big issues.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.