Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
MEMBERS OF the Ironwood Township Board of Trustees look over the agenda during a meeting Monday. Board members include clerk Gayla Salmi, trustee Steve Boyd, supervisor Alan Baron and trustee Kathy Maki.
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees had a somber meeting Monday after the passing of the Ironwood Township fire chief Jamie Peite.
Peite died unexpectedly March 5, and in honor of his service to Ironwood Township, the board started the meeting with a moment of silence.
Later in the meeting, the board heard a brief presentation from Dennis Ireland of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Local Assistance State Team. The group has been assisting the Ironwood Township Fire Department and Peite's family and will help fill out paperwork for state and federal benefits for Peite's family.
"We go wherever we are needed," Ireland said.
The board also officially approved Mike Nelson as the interim chief until elections in December. Nelson was Peite's second-in-command in the department.
A memorial fund has been set up in Peite's honor through the Ironwood Township offices. Funds will help with funeral costs, and a committee will be created to see what the remaining funds will be used for, possibly including scholarships, or helping others facing similar tragedies.
Some board members commented on Peite's impact to the community.
"We lost a chief and a good friend," trustee Kathy Maki said. "He was an advocate not just for this community, but the community at large. He had such a presence wherever he went and will be truly missed."
For more information or to donate to the Chief Jamie Peite Memorial Fund, call the Ironwood Township offices at 906-932-5800.
