Alexandria Bingham appointed city clerk

Following an acceptance of a job offer and then a resignation by a West Bloomfield municipal clerk in December 2019, Birmingham City Commissioners unanimously accepted the recommendation of the city clerk selection sub-committee on Monday, March 9, to appoint Alexandria D. Bingham as city clerk designee, effective Monday, March 16. Bingham, who is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and an accredited election official for the state of Michigan, has worked as a deputy clerk in Rose Township and Holly Township in Oakland County since August 2019, and an election specialist in Commerce Township since February 2007. She came with high recommendations from Commerce Township supervisor David Scott and clerk Melissa Creech. “Alexandria's work ethic is outstanding and she is an integral part of our team during election season. She takes pride in her.work and knowledge of elections and it shows with her enthusiasm and energy on a daily basis. She is professional and understands the confidentiality of daily work in the clerk's office, not only with elections,” wrote Creech. “While I would be very sorry to see her leave as part of our team, I would highly recommend Alexandria for the position of clerk for the city ofBirmingham.” Bingham is a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks; Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks; Oakland County Clerks Association; and Michigan Townships Association. Birmingham Human Resources Manager Ben Myers presented Bingham as the clerk designee to the commission, following a February 12 meeting of the city clerk selection sub-committee. He said it was a succession arrangement used in the past, which allows for training and development, transfer of institutional knowledge, and continuity of service. “As acting city clerk (Cheryl) Arft will be staying through the end of the year, an opportunity has presented itself for this type of extra transition which will be especially critical during the presidential election season,” Myers said. Arft has announced her retirement. Upon Arft's retirement, Bingham will become the city clerk. In December, James Allen, a clerk from the West Bloomfield clerk's office, who had been sworn in as the new city clerk in Birmingham at the city commission meeting on December 16, unexpectedly resigned Monday, December 30, prior to beginning the position.