City urban forester interviews delayed

For those holding their breath waiting for the next round of urban forester interviews, go ahead and exhale because the interviews won?t be this week.

The decision to interview two more applicants, instead of picking between the first three applicants interviewed, came after last week?s disagreement between the Building and Grounds Committee?s three members. During that disagreement, Alderman Jimmy Haley and Patti Nunley wanted to interview two more candidates, but Alderman Billy Wood did not.

Mayor Royce Davenport was asked to invite John S. Baggett and Jeremy Meyer for interviews. At that time, Davenport had hoped to get the interviews scheduled for this week.

?I?m not having any luck,? said Davenport. ?I?m still trying to coordinate between schedules of the board and the people to be interviewed. I don?t think the interviews will be this week.?

Both applicants are out of town and currently employed.

? Baggett, out of Maryland, is currently the urban forester in Fairfax County, Va. His education includes a bachelor of science degree with a major in agriculture and a minor in finance. In addition, he is a certified arborist/municipal specialist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

? Meyer, out of Illinois, is currently collections crew leader for The Morton Arboretum. His education includes a bachelor of science degree in urban forestry. He is also an ISA certified arborist.

With any luck, Davenport will nail down one day next week so all aldermen, and both applicants, will be able to attend.