Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Jennifer Bowman says City Manager Ken Tsuchiyama's resignation did not come as a surprise.
Update: Battle Creek Mayor Dave Walter tells the Battle Creek EnquirerTsuchiyama was not forced out
Bowman says there have been tensions between the commission and the manager for over a year.
The resignation comes at a time when there is also a vacancy for Assistant City Manager left by Jim Ritsema's leaving to become City Manager in Kalamazoo. Also Police Chief Jackie Hampton retired in January, and the city is looking for his replacement.
Bowman says commissioners and Tsuchiyama expressed confidence in the current staff to help the city get through the transition. But she says concerns have been raised in the community about the vacancies in leadership positions.
The news release from the city say Tsuchiyama is retiring, and he says he wasn't forced out. But Bowman says not many people are buying that. She says it's especially questionable given that the commission held an unscheduled two hour closed door session during Tuesday night's regular meeting.
