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City manager

Nocerini resigns

By Sarah Shurge
After eight years of serving the
community, Lisa Nocerini resigned
as Wayne City Manager. Effective
Thursday, August 31st, her resigna-
tion was final and official.
“It was a good time for the city to
have some different thinking,” said
Nocerini. “I had accomplished the
things needed to be done, the city is
moving forward financially, and we
have more employees. I know there
will be more hurdles, but this is the
best time to transition to someone
else.”
Back in 2013 and 2014, Nocerini
did some consulting work for the
City of Wayne. The city manager at
the time had resigned and the then
mayor asked Nocerini if she would Former City Manager Lisa Nocerini
come help in a transition period. worked closely together and I think
“I knew the city was going through he will do a tremendous job,” said
challenges, which is why I got the Nocerini. “Being the chief and the
call,” said Nocerini. way he’s handled things, he’s done a
Nocerini went through the inter- fantastic job. I have full confidence
view process and the council voted 5- in him that he will keep things mov-
2 in favor of her joining. The council ing along and keep morale high.”
then asked her to stay longer to have The city council meeting on Tues-
some stability. day, September 5th, voted 7-0 in
“One month turned into one year. favor of Chief Strong being acting/in-
One year turned into many years,” terim city manager. The council also
said Nocerini. Throughout her over agreed to hire the Michigan Munici-
eight years as city manager, Nocerini pal League to do a search for a new
enjoyed one specific thing the most. city manager.
“Other than the volunteer work “I’ve been through four councils,
that I've done, what I enjoyed the and the one thing I'll say is that they
most was working with such a di- did renew my contract and that re-
verse, incredible team of department ally gave that vote of confidence at
heads,” said Nocerini. the end. It allowed me to leave on my
Nocerini described the team with own terms and I really appreciate
one word: phenomenal. that,” said Nocerini.
“My biggest achievement, I will “Wayne has a great group of peo-
say with confidence, is the team I ple. That was the hardest thing
helped create,” said Nocerini. “I’m so about leaving - leaving them. There
proud of them and will put them up were many tears,” said Nocerini. “I
against any team in the state.” wish the city all the best moving for-
Having a team you can depend ward and hope they continue the
on, makes any job easier. progress that we started.”
“It wasn't easy. There were times “I will not miss getting poison ivy
when a job like that can get to you, eight times, but we made such a dif-
difficult days and criticism,” said No- ference with park clean ups. I really
cerini. “I kept my head up and knew enjoyed that,” said Nocerini. “We had
I had a great team working with me. fun at those and made a significant
It really made it worth it.” difference. We laughed, we itched, we
With Nocerini’s resignation, the saw great things, and we saw tough
city had someone from within step things, but we knew we needed to do
up as acting manager. The current it.” We thank Nocerini for all the
acting manager is Wayne Police Chief work she’s done for the city and wish
Ryan Strong. “He is also the Emer- her the best with her new opportuni-
gency Coordinator for the city. We ties elsewhere!
The Wayne Dispatch · September 2023 · 5