TECUMSEH – New Mayor Jesse Grof says teamwork is key to building Tecumseh’s quality of life and its population base.

Grof joined the council nine years ago and was council president this spring, when Mayor William Montz announced he would resign.

Grof: “He did come and talk to me then and it was one of those I didn’t have a lot choice type of thing, but Bill was wonderful for the city. He really was. He did a lot.”

Weeks after accepting the new role as mayor, Grof applauded the hiring of Janelle Moran as the new city clerk.

A former loan specialist with Rural Enterprise Assistance Project, Moran said she expects to transition quickly into the team at city hall.

Moran: “I was born and raised in Tecumseh, so a life-long resident here. Kids are in school here, my husband has his own business here in town, as well, so very familiar with the community.”

Tecumseh is currently building a new swimming pool and Grof said, after 10 years of planning, the downtown revitalization project will soon be reshaping the town square.

He said he expects to talk with the city council members daily.

Grof: “I value their opinion very much. I have a great crew. We have an outstanding city council. They are just amazing.”

Grof, a mechanic who has worked in Tecumseh for 20 years, said teamwork is Tecumseh’s best approach to city government.

Grof: “I’m a huge communicator. I don’t make any decisions really just off of a whim. I talk to them pretty much on everything that is, you know, citywise, that’s going to affect the city. It’s not a dictatorship for me. We’re a team.”

Councilwoman Lori Topp, who is the new president of the city council, said she is confident in Grof’s leadership.

Topp: “Very much so. He is pointing us in the perfect direction. We all need to move forward to make this town great.”

She said citizens can best help the team by attending meetings and talking with the city council about issues they experience.