Wobser leaving Sandusky

SANDUSKY — Eric Wobser — the person largely responsible, from a public perspective, of leading Sandusky's ongoing renaissance this past decade — announced he's stepping down as city manager. He formally made the decision on Thursday, which preceded an impromptu public meeting involving city commissioners, his bosses. They then immediately launched a search process to find a successor. Wobser's resignation took effect on Friday. "Eric has guided this city for the past eight years to a level of success that is unmatched in our history," said city ex officio mayor Dick Brady, who's leading the search process. "Sandusky is blessed with a very capable staff that will continue to perform their jobs to ensure that the momentum provided by Eric continues," Brady said. "The trajectory of our city has been forever changed by Eric's leadership. This commission thanks him and wishes him continued success." During Thursday's meeting, and amid a process to find a successor, commissioners tapped John Orzech — the city's assistant manager and former police chief — to fill in on an interim basis. "The city will forever be grateful for Eric's dedication, commitment and championing Sandusky's successes over his tenure as city manager," Orzech said. "I will work closely with the commissioners, directors and staff to keep Sandusky's positive momentum going forward until a new city manager is named. It is an honor to serve the citizens of Sandusky in this new role, and I thank the commission for their trust in me during this transition period." They also appointed Colleen Gilson, the city's chief neighborhood development officer, as the interim assistant city manager. She's led many organizations and has an extensive background in development. Where is Wobser going? Back in late October, the Register first reported about Wobser pondering a different future. While he didn't reveal too many details then, on Thursday, more information came to light: • On Tuesday, Chris Ronayne won an election to become the next Cuyahoga County executive. • On Thursday, Ronayne officially named Wobser as his chief of staff. He'll supervise the second-largest government entity in Ohio, which employs more than 4,500 people with a budget exceeding $1.5 billion. • Beginning Monday and up until Jan. 1, Wobser will help oversee Ronayne's transition into office. He's making almost $91 an hour to start out in this job. Had Ronayne lost his election bid, Wobser said he would have remained in Sandusky as its city manager. For weeks, Wobser wrestled with the decision but noted this new job is one he simply could not pass up and needed to pursue. "Being city manager of my hometown has been a dream job for me," Wobser said on Thursday after tendering his resignation. "I'm proud of everything we were able to accomplish over the past eight years, and I'm grateful for the leadership of our city commission, the dedication and hard work of our city staff and our committed community partners who helped make it all possible. I know that the future is bright for Sandusky." Wobser is married to his wife, Jen, a well-respected educator at Edison High School. They have two young children. A sought-out candidate This isn't the first time someone has courted Wobser for another job. Back in 2020, Wobser represented one of four finalists for a high-ranking administrative position for the council in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Similarly, a recruiter reached out to Wobser for this job, one he didn't apply for. After some consideration, Wobser withdrew his name from the candidates' list. "It was an honor to be a finalist, but it would take a near-perfect situation for me to consider leaving Sandusky," Wobser wrote in an email to Ann Arbor officials. "And, for a variety of reasons, I have determined it was not the perfect situation." When asked in October if this new job he accepted is that "near-perfect situation," Wobser said, "It's a unique and special opportunity." A successful stint in Sandusky Wobser — who, as city manager, made $153,000 a year in 2022 — began his career with Sandusky's government in 2014. During this period, he led many successful initiatives later approved by commission to usher Sandusky into a new prosperous era. Among them: • Quarterbacking a campaign, titled Issue 8, in 2014; The dual increase for Sandusky's income and admissions tax rates provided much-needed income to carry out necessary services demanded by residents along with providing strategic guidance for future city projects. • Strengthening housing programs; This includes mandating all rental properties undergo inspections, offering financial assistance for homeowners to improve their residences and demolishing blighted homes geared toward initiatives revolving around neighborhood quality-of-life issues. • Putting forward work orders to revamp about a dozen neighborhood parks, which would include new and/or enhanced play areas • Budgeting millions of dollars for a local street resurfacing program; In the past eight years, about 25% of Sandusky's streets have undergone an upgrade. • Supporting a new community policing program to create better trust among residents and law enforcement officials • Shepherding economic development programs to incentivize business throughout Sandusky; Since its inception, investments have totaled $100 million in downtown and $300 million citywide. • Advocating for a project to rebuild Jackson Street Pier, quickly becoming Sandusky's premiere go-to public gathering spot • Lobbying for the development of the Sandusky Bay Pathway, a recreational trail • Overseeing work to build a new City Hall, which, in effect, saved three local landmarks and re-energized southern portions of downtown • Collaborating with Bowling Green State University and Cedar Fair to create a first-of-its-kind partnership for a postsecondary educational center, a brick-and-mortar resort and attraction management school • Negotiating an unprecedented $100 million agreement with Cedar Fair to fund many city-based public projects, which induce a new recreation center and a new causeway • Settling a long dispute with Erie County on sewer-related matters, ensuring cooperation with both governments on other projects going forward • Proposing a $200 million project to evolve Battery Park