Lincoln Park Mayor Michael Higgins (center) announces April 8 that Finance Director Lisa Griggs (left) has permanently added the city manager duties to her role, as City Clerk Kerry Kehrer listens.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – Finance Director Lisa Griggs, who has been serving as the acting city manager, will continue in the role permanently, Mayor Michael Higgins announced at the April 8 City Council meeting.
Griggs also will continue to serve as the city’s finance director.
Higgins said Griggs is the first woman to serve as Lincoln Park’s city manager.
Griggs thanked the mayor and council for putting their trust in her.
“I will work very hard to do a good job for you, and I look forward to working with all of you,” she said.
Griggs has worked for the city of Lincoln Park for 30 years, having started as a co-op student while in high school, and has worked full-time for the city for the past 28 years. She has been finance director for the past 18 years.
She will continue as finance director as well, with a deputy assisting her.
Griggs graduated from Lincoln Park High School and attended Central Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
As a high school co-op student with the city, she started working with different departments, including treasury. She started working in finance as soon as she was hired full-time.
“It is a very fulfilling job,” Griggs said. “There is a lot of trust that comes with being a public servant, especially in the Finance Department, and there is a lot of reward, too.”
She said most of her family members worked in the automotive industry, so she wasn’t following in anyone’s footsteps.
Griggs grew up in the city and has three children.
“Lincoln Park is my hometown and I have a lot of love for Lincoln Park,” she said. “Lincoln Park means a lot to me, so I am excited for this next chapter.”
Higgins said he wanted Griggs as the city manager “from the beginning.”
“Everybody in city hall respects her, and that says a lot when somebody who’s telling them ‘No’ all the time when they are asking for money,” he said. “To pull that off, and still have the respect of everybody, it speaks volumes.”