.jpg)
Shelby Village Administrator Brady Selner, left, and Shelby Police Chief Steve Waltz
New administrator, police chief begin duties.
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
SHELBY — Village Administrator Brady Selner and Police Chief Steve Waltz recently started their new jobs with the Village of Shelby, and the Shelby Chamber of Commerce hosted a virtual “meet and and greet” to introduce them both to the community.
Waltz began his duties Nov. 9, and Selner started the job Nov. 19.
Selner
Chief Waltz, who is a New Era resident, retired from the Muskegon Police Department after 25 years of service, most recently serving as lieutenant. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University. During his employment with the Muskegon Police Department, he graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. He also completed many other law enforcement-related trainings.
The new chief said his first police job was at Shelby PD, and he has now “come full circle” as he returns as chief.
Waltz said he plans to get more involved in the school system and he has a philosophy of “compliance vs. punishment.”
“Brady and I will work closely together on zoning issues,” said Chief Waltz. “I would like to see the housing situation in Shelby to improve. I’m excited to see what we can do as a village.”
Waltz said he had only been retired for 39 days before taking on the job as Shelby police chief. “I’m too young to be retired,” he said.
Waltz
Selner, who lives in Norton Shores, most recently worked as the planning and zoning director for Mason County.
“I grew up in Wisconsin — I’m a cheesehead,” he said. For two years, he attended Adams State University in Colorado where he ran track and cross country. He moved to West Michigan in 2014 and obtained his undergraduate degree in political science and his master’s degree in public administration. He completed internships with City of Muskegon and Ottawa County.
“The key is communication,” said Selner. “Even though I don’t live in the area, I will be available. It’s a small community, and it’s important to be available.”
The new administrator’s goals are Getty Park improvements, the new pocket park downtown and renovating downtown buildings. He is considering setting up a downtown development authority, he said.
The new pocket park “is a nice amenity to downtown and a connection to the rail trail,” said Selner.
“It’s been a good first couple of weeks. I’m doing my best to get caught up with ongoing projects. I’m picking up where Rob (Widigan, previous village administrator) and Bill (Cousins, interim village administrator) left off.
“We have a lot to look forward to, and I’m happy to be here and be a part of the puzzle to make Shelby a better place,” said Selner.
Shelby Chamber of Commerce President Tim Horton and Tracy Blamer of the chamber moderated the Facebook Live event last week.
Please consider helping fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website.
This story is copyrighted © 2020, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
