Batavia mayor to nominate new administrator

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke is turning to the business world to pick his choice for the city's next administrator.

He announced Tuesday he will nominate Laura M. Newman of Batavia July 5 for the position.

If the city council confirms the appointment, Newman would begin work the next day, he said.

"She has a wide degree of experience that is going to serve her and the city of Batavia very well," Schielke said.

Newman was one of 46 candidates hailing from 11 states, Schielke said.

She is vice president of administration and compliance for Mitutoyo America Corp. of Aurora, according to a news release from the city.

She has worked for 11 years for Mitutoyo. Before that, she was a lawyer in St. Charles.

Newman also was director of employee relations at the University of Toledo.

She has been special labor counsel for North Aurora, chairman of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce and served on Batavia's Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.

She would replace Bill McGrath, who is retiring at the end of July.

McGrath has been city administrator since 2000 and was the city's attorney for 10 years before that.