June 22, 2005
City clerk, library leader earn honors
Debbra Curtiss and Mike McGuire receive high recognition in respective professions
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Two area professionals have been recognized by their peers for their accomplishments and leadership.
Debbra Curtiss, the City Clerk for Traverse City, was elected Michigan City Clerk of the Year for 2005. Mike McGuire, director of the Traverse Area District Library, will serve as president of the Michigan Library Association beginning July 1.
Curtiss was amazed to be recognized by her fellow city clerks in the statewide election; she learned of her honor in early June. In addition to Curtiss, the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks also recognized a township and a village clerk of the year.
"I was surprised because I don't hold any committee seats [in the organization] and am not on the board," Curtiss noted. "But I understand a lot of people know me. I was honored just to be on the ballot and to actually be selected was wonderful, a wonderful surprise."
Curtiss has served as City Clerk since her appointment in 1989 by the City Manager, which was confirmed by the City Commission. A non-political appointee, she previously worked for the City Attorney, Peter Doren, for five years. She then moved onto executive assistant for the City Manager before assuming her current position.
"I'm neutral, we serve everyone and the public equally," Curtiss said. "I work a lot with the public and we work closely with the City Manager and very closely with the City Commission. We also handle all the election administration in the city."
A Cadillac native, Curtiss received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ferris State University; she started working for Traverse City in 1979. Curtiss also received a master of science degree in administration in 2001.
Mike McGuire is another familiar face in the area, having served as director of the Traverse Area District Library for the past 27 years. Last year, McGuire accepted a leadership position in the Michigan Library Association by stepping into the role of President-Elect of the group. That elected position is part of a three-year leadership track that includes a year as President and then Past President, providing a continuity of leadership to professional association.
When he assumes his post as President of the organization July 1, McGuire said the 21-member board is facing a massive reorganization. The organization, which includes 500 institutional members statewide and 1,700 individual members, will work o fill a vacant executive director position as well as adopt a comprehensive strategic plan. In addition, the organization will rewrite new district library laws and work to fill the vacant state librarian position.
The Michigan Library Association includes academic libraries, specialty libraries like medical libraries as well as district and municipal libraries. McGuire, who celebrates 30 years with the Traverse Area District Library this year, is eager to assume his role as the organization's president.
"It's a big honor," he said. "It's the first time we've had a president from the Traverse City area."
McGuire is a native of Indiana and received a master's degree in library science from Indiana University. He began his career in Benton Harbor in 1973 and moved north to Traverse City in 1975. He assumed the director's position here three years later.