County commissioner seeks Greenfield manager post

Highland County Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer is among several possible candidates for the position of Greenfield city (village) manager.

As previously reported by The Highland County Press, current city manager Betty Bishop has announced her plans to retire at the end of this year.

Shaffer, who was elected county commissioner in the 2010 general election, said he has no plans to resign as commissioner.

"Right now, I don't know that I am candidate for the position," Shaffer told The HCP Friday evening. "I did apply."

Shaffer said Greenfield has a number of applicants for the position.

When asked if there were any potential conflicts of interest in serving as both village manager and county commissioner, Shaffer said he had contacted the County Commissioners' Association of Ohio (CCAO) and the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

"I did reach the CCAO director," Shaffer said. "He said the two positions did not conflict. I also talked to the Attorney General's Office.

"Larry Long (CCAO executive director) said he doesn't think the two positions are incompatible."

Shaffer said if any votes arose in which there were an appearance of a conflict of interest, he would abstain.

"If I were chosen, I would try to do both roles for at least the next two years," Shaffer said. "If I'm a finalist, the Attorney General's Office would do a complete opinion, if necessary."

For the present time, Shaffer said, that's not necessary.

Greenfield's deadline for applications was Friday, Sept. 28.