Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Gogebic County Sheriff deputies, from left, Jorge Cruz and Ross Solberg hold a presentation for their organization, Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotic Team, at the Wakefield City Council meeting Monday night.
WAKEFIELD - The Gogebic County Sheriff's Office held a Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotic Team (GIANT) presentation at the Wakefield City Council meeting Monday night.
GIANT is a self-funded, cooperative effort between the Ironwood Public Safety Department, Gogebic County Sheriff's Office, Iron County Sheriff's Office and Hurley Police Department to fight drug-related crimes.
The presentation included information about drug crimes in Gogebic and Iron County, the Upper Peninsula and the state of Michigan.
The team also introduced a drug crime tip line, 1-855-644-4219 or email at giantdrugteam@gmail.com.
The team plans to present to other municipalities, including schools and public events.
Karl Ahonen, auditor for the city of Wakefield, also held a presentation on the 2012-13 fiscal year audit, which was approved by the council.
Ahonen said there were no deficits or budget violations for the city during the year.
The council approved a $0.50 per hour raise for non-union personnel. This raise was included in the 2013-14 budget.
It also approved a $50 Christmas gift for all city employees and fire department personnel to be given with the Dec. 19 payroll. The total cost of these gifts will be approximately $1,850 to be charged to the General Fund/Misc. Public Expense-Employees account.
The council members also discussed the Renewable Energy Plan, for which there were no public comments.
The council mentioned the 2014 Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference to be held in Lansing on March 18 and 19. This trip includes meetings with state officials, pre-conference sessions and a Board of Trustees meeting.
It approved the attendance of city representatives at the conference.
The meeting concluded with a presentation by Derrick Ervans regarding a faulty lamp post near Harrison Street.
Ervans said he called Charter Communications in an effort to repair the lamppost, only to be refused their services.
He asked why nothing has been done to repair the street lamp. Mayor Les Schneck agreed to investigate the matter further.
The next city council meeting will be held on Dec. 23.
