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Leadership Defined
and Leadership Honored
‘It’s been a privilege to be a City Manager and to
work alongside dedicated elected officials, city
staff and citizen volunteers’
-Rick Helwig, Novi City Manager
by
Bernie Fratto
January 2006
 In
January 2003 Richard Helwig was chronicled as the
inaugural selection for a new feature entitled
‘Profile Novi.’
By then he was well into his tenure having exuded
positive influence, facing litigation head-on, and
tackling the challenges that face Urban America with
ferocity and intellect. His critical thinking skills
were exactly what the City of Novi, Michigan
needed.
His background in Public Service, City Government
and International Business would prove invaluable.
The discipline garnered from his service as a
Lieutenant in the Navy would help keep a steady hand
during trying times.
His enlightened approach to City Management, whereby
adopting a Council/Manager form of government
whereby the City Manager would act as the CEO of the
enterprise, while also functioning as someone that
would oversee City Council as a Board of Directors,
has left the City of Novi in great shape
esthetically and financially.
Upon joining the team in 2000 Rick Helwig
immediately identified four areas that he felt
needed to be addressed;
1) Improve
the Roads- Even though a road bond had been defeated
once before, Helwig was gracious in offering ‘many
thanks to the voters’ for their collaborative effort
that resulted in $18 million in municipal bonds and
$45 million in county, state, and federal funds as
well. Under Helwig’s watch, the roads in Novi have
improved dramatically providing safe, efficient,
throroughfare while remaining pleasing to the eye.
Most recently, the Beck Rd/96 exchange opened to the
delight of all.
2) Improve
City Services- “I recall the first major snowfall
during my tenure,” Helwig noted. “Twelve inches on
a Monday, followed by five inches on a Thursday, but
24 hours passed before Grand River was usable.” In
fact, it was the responsibility of the Oakland
County Road Commission, but Helwig took decisive and
proactive action to consummate a Winter Maintenance
Agreement, and Novi roads have been smooth sailing
even during the most challenging winter days.
3) Resolve
major litigation issues- A seasoned, experienced
executive, Rick Helwig knows all too well that
lawsuits are costly and time consuming. Resolving
major litigation issues that were impeding the
City’s progress were foremost on his plate, in June
2002 a palatable agreement was reached so all
parties could move forward. Helwig inherited this
mess, but diligently oversaw a concerted effort,
thus ending a dark chapter in the history of Novi,
Michigan.
4) Improving
the ‘Rainy Day’ Fund- Having presided over larger
cities and having the experience of observing the
extreme task of keeping urban America on top of it’s
game with modern infrastructure, viable housing
stock, schools, and a diversified lifestyle, Helwig
knew that fiscal responsibility would be paramount.
An air of accountability was established on all
levels. Today, Novi enjoys financial prosperity.
Helwig will retire from the City of Novi next month.
When they write the history books, it will be
evident that the enlightened thinking of Richard
Helwig has left a legacy of prosperity for the
future of Novi and its citizenry.
Through focus groups, a unified team approach,
maintaining personal accountability and creating a
diversified tax base, Novi, Michigan is poised for
greatness.
“My hope is that Novi continues to take advantage of
its opportunities, while creating new ones,” Helwig
proclaimed.
Our hope is that Rick Helwig enjoys a fulfilling
retirement, filled with joy and contentment, knowing
that his impact on our City will be positively felt
for many, many years to come.
Richard Helwig stated that is was a privilege to be
a City Manager, working alongside dedicated elected
officials, city staff, and citizen volunteers.
As I proud citizen, I can state emphatically, the
respect runs both ways. God Bless Rick Helwig.
In fact, the privilege was ours…
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