Politics & Government
Village Clerk to be Appointed as Gabbert's Interim Replacement
Ridgewood Clerk Heather Mailander is expected to take over the village's top administrative post on an interim basis in September.
The Ridgewood Village Council expects to have a familiar face installed as interim village manager by the time Ken Gabbert ends his nearly four-year tenure in the position at the end of the month, Mayor Paul Aronsohn said Wednesday.
The council is expected on Tuesday to appoint Village Clerk Heather Mailander to oversee the day-to-day operations of village government until a permanent replacement is found, Aronsohn said.
Mailander’s appointment is not unexpected; she served as interim manager for about five months before Gabbert’s appointment in 2009, following the resignation of former manager James Ten Hoeve.
Gabbert was ousted 3-2 by the council majority in a contentious vote a week ago, setting Aug. 31 as his last day in the post.
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Ridgewood's mayor spoke effusively about Mailander's ability to handle the responsibilities of the village manager position.
"She's the right person for the job," Aronsohn said. "She has the experience, the energy, the leadership qualities. And I have confidence that she'll get us through this important transition."
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Additional compensation for the added responsibilities Mailander will assume during the transition will be decided before a final vote by the council to formally appoint her as interim manager, Aronsohn said.
Gabbert has 20 days from the final vote on his removal to request a public hearing on his termination, but has not yet said whether he plans to appeal.
Aronsohn said that a vote by the council on a resolution formalizing the appointment will be held Aug. 27.
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