Silver Lake City Council offers clerk job to liquor store manager

The Silver Lake City Council voted Thursday night to offer the city clerk job to Jon Jerabek, currently the manager of the municipal liquor store. The offer is contingent on a clean background check, which will be conducted by the Silver Lake Police Department. Jerabek has indicated he will take the position, according to Deputy Clerk Kristi Mesenbrink. Police Chief RJ Cripps said it will take about a week to conduct the background check.
The City Council conducted final interviews with two finalists at a special meeting Thursday night, after hearing that one of its finalists had withdrawn her application.
Mayor Bruce Bebo explained that the candidate had withdrawn for personal and family reasons. An invitation for another interview was then extended to another candidate, Meagan Donahue of Watertown.
The City Council members, after the interviews, found much to like in both candidates.
Donahue has some city experience, having done internships with the cities of Mayer and Winsted. She is currently employed at Elkay.
Donahue has a degree in regional studies from Minnesota State University – Mankato, and also has a master’s degree.
Jerabek is a graduate of Glencoe-Silver Lake High School and St. John’s University with a degree in communications.
He started his career at the municipal liquor store as a part-time bartender and is now the manager.
Council Member Brenda Fogarty noted that neither candidate had much of a background in accounting.
Bebo agreed, noting that of the 11 initial applications, only one had an accounting background.
But, he reminded the council, former City Clerk Kerry Venier had been working at a Bruegger’s Bagels store before being hired by the city.

For more from the meeting, see the June 28 print edition of The Chronicle.