Information photograph by Steve Schulwitz Alpena County Clerk Keri Bertrand administers the oath of workplace to newly elected commissioners through the organizational assembly of the County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.
ALPENA — Tuesday’s assembly of the Alpena County Board of Commissioners had some tense moments as some commissioners felt they need to wait till a emptiness is crammed earlier than electing a brand new chair and vice chair and making committee placements.
Former Commissioner John Kozlowski was re-elected final 12 months, however was pressured to retire from the council as a result of his job prevented him from working for re-election. Nonetheless, his job permits him to be appointed to his former seat, he stated.
The board is anticipated to interview candidates for the place on Jan. 24, and the board is more likely to vote on an appointment that very same day.
After the commissioners — together with 4 new ones — have been sworn in, the board had to decide on a brand new president. Due to the emptiness, nevertheless, some on the board felt the vote for brand new management must be delayed.
Commissioner Travis Konarzewski made a movement to desk a vote for Commissioner Invoice Peterson for chair, however the vote failed 4 to a few, with Commissioners Konarzewski, Jesse Osmer and Brenda Fournier voting to desk the matter, however Commissioners Peterson, Dave Karschnick, Invoice LaHaie , and Burt Francisco voting to maneuver ahead with the lawsuit.
“We have to vote for a president at the moment,” Karschnick stated.
Lastly, the commissioners named Peterson president by secret poll among the many commissioners. When the items of paper have been counted, Peterson acquired six votes to 1. Due to the method utilized by the commissioners, the general public couldn’t inform which commissioner voted for or towards.
Francisco was elected vp.
After taking his seat on the heart of the desk, Peterson learn his committee appointments, which he had ready earlier than he was elected chairman.
This rubbed some on the board the flawed approach as a result of no consideration was given to who the commissioners may appoint to fill the board emptiness.
Peterson stated he’ll revisit committees down the street when the emptiness is crammed.
“Every part might be modified and redone,” he stated.
A hotly debated matter revolved round a pair of appointments to the county Parks and Recreation Fee.
Peterson appointed former commissioners Bob Adrian and Marty Thomson to the parks panel. Peterson stated Adrian and Thomson have been the suitable decisions as a result of they’ve been concerned in giant ongoing tasks and must be relied upon to see these tasks by to completion.
Fournier made an exception with the alternatives, as different candidates utilized and have been interviewed, together with former commissioner Kevin Osbourne.
Jesse Osmer, a brand new commissioner, additionally contested the appointments given to him. He stated he was not included in any of the statutory committees, which provides his constituents much less of a voice in vital choices.
“I am an alternate for every part and I would prefer to see this reconsidered as quickly as attainable,” Osmer stated.
The county will promote the open workplace, and people who find themselves and reside within the county’s eighth District — which incorporates Sanborn and Ossineke townships — can contact the county clerk’s workplace. The data is anticipated to be posted on the county web site as nicely.