Lincoln Park bids farewell to Coppler as Zech steps into interim role

 

By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers

LINCOLN PARK – Exiting City Manager Matt Coppler received praise and well-wishes at the Sept. 16 city council meeting, at which former Southgate City Administrator John Zech was named interim city manager.

Coppler, who accepted a position in St. Clair Shores, thanked the mayor and city council for their support over the past four years.

“Whether you believe it or not, it has been truly great working with each and every one of you, and I think we have been able to work together to get a lot accomplished,” Coppler said. “I appreciate that. You made the job a lot easier, when you are dealing with people who understand what we’re trying to do, and I think each one of you understands the goals of making the community a better place.”

Coppler also thanked the city’s staff for their hard work over the past four years of his tenure in Lincoln Park, and expressed appreciation to the city’s residents.

“When you look around the city today, the city is on the right path,” Coppler said.

Mayor Thomas Karnes kidded Coppler a final time about him not being the city council’s first choice for city administrator when he was hired four years ago.

“It is fortunate how things work out sometimes,” Karnes said. “You have been a great addition to the city. We wish you the best, and success in St. Clair Shores. You will be remembered for a long time here.”

Zech of Canton Township, who will fill the position until a permanent city manager is chosen, likely for at least six months, has served as an assistant to the city manager in Plymouth, as city manager in Wayne, and as interim city manager in Allen Park.

Most recently Zech served as the city administrator for Southgate, and as a board member of Lincoln Park’s Receivership Transition Advisory Board.

(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected])