The South Haven City Council has stayed mostly mum on the selection of a new police chief after hearing from residents, and non-residents, upset with the situation this week.

The city in late April announced the resignation of former Chief Dennis Honholt, only about a month after he was hired, when it was learned he still hadn’t resigned from his previous post in Tennessee. This generated questions about the city’s hiring process.

Now, city council member Mary Hosley says the city manager is considering the hiring of a new chief. But Hosley says nothing is really public at this time.

“So, I was not involved in the process and everybody knows I am a process person,” Hosley said. “And I had raised concerns about the process. We can raise concerns, but the ultimate decision is in the hands of the city manager.”

Some of the residents who spoke out at this week’s city council meeting blamed the city manager for not making a local hire. Hosley tells a second look should possibly be given to the process.

“The city manager serves at the privilege of the city council, and with this all being relatively new, I think the city council members are evaluating what our options are.”

As far as finding a replacement for the now departed Chief Honholt, Hosley says the city manager has indicated the focus at this time is just to get through the summer, the city’s busy season.

Hosley, who is running for mayor, has made bringing back a lifeguard program to South Haven beaches a priority this year. This week, she forced the issue at the council meeting with a motion requiring the presentation of a draft plan to the council by the end of Wednesday.