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Transit board discusses general manager position

Interim-General Manager Michael Kesterson answers questions during Tuesday’s Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority Board of Directors meeting. Officials discussed whether to keep Kesterson, who also is the authority’s director of Transit Operations, in the manager position and redistribute his other responsibilities, or to look to hire a new general manager. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — The Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority Board of Directors will complete interviews for the general manager position but also will consider a plan to keep interim management in place.

The board meet Tuesday morning to discuss the general manger position, which currently is being filled by Mike Kesterson, the transit authority’s director of Transit Operations. Kesterson was appointed interim manager in October following the resignation of then-general manager Tim Thomas.

Board President Paul Thornton suggested officials redistribute responsibilities for the general manager and transit operations positions between Kesterson and Robert Tanner, director of Fleet, Facilities and Safety.

“It looks to me like we have two very competent people that are doing a very good job, and I wonder if we just need to rearrange responsibilities versus hiring that third person,” Thornton said.

Thornton suggested the move could save the authority money by not filling the vacant position.

Board Treasurer Belinda Fetty said interviews for the general manager position were postponed and she suggested finishing that process before making any official decision.

“We were waiting for things to settle down,” she said. “We need to, I think, do the interviews.”

“I agree with that, I was just pointing out there is some opportunity here, and the system is running very well,” Thornton said.

Fetty said she would bring interview dates to the next board meeting. No vote was taken on the item.

In other business, the board unanimously accepted two bids for security guards at the downtown transit station, but gave authority to Kesterson to decide which company to use.

Kesterson said the authority has had issues in the past with riders acting unruly or drug-related issues, and having guards would better ensure the safety of customers and staff as well.

Tanner described the terminal as “a security nightmare” and said employees have expressed safety concerns.

“I think in this day and age, we need some security down there for these sort of things,” Kesterson said.

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