Ontonagon village manager expects dollar store permit request shortly

ONTONAGON – Ontonagon Village Manager Joe Erickson told the Village Council Monday that engineers for a new dollar store in Ontonagon have been on the proposed site for the store and he expects a request will be made next week for a building permit to start the new structure. The new Family Dollar will be erected on M-38 across from the Ontonagon Court House and next to the former Pamida store. Mountain Engineers are the engineers for the store, which will replace the existing smaller store next to Pat’s Foods.

Village council members said they also understood the former Sip and Snack, which has been closed for a couple of years, has a new owner and will be reopened.

Kathy and Randy Dishaw, owners of Roxy’s Bar and Restaurant, informed the council they were interested in purchasing the vacant lot next to their establishment for an expansion of the restaurant’s kitchen and the addition of a beer garden. They indicated they wanted to do the project as soon as possible so it could be ready for the July all-school reunion. Rich Ernest told the council he has also been interested in the land as it is adjacent to his business as well.  At one time, Ernest said he was exploring a purchase with the now defunct Downtown Development Authority. He said if the council was considering a long time sale, he wanted to be able to bid but he did not want to stop it from being a beer garden on a short term basis.

Village President Ken Waldrop said he is interested in downtown development and was interested in the Dishaw plans because they plan to do something right away with the land. The issue was referred to the development committee and will be on the agenda for the Monday, June 8, council meeting.

In other action the council:

—Heard that longtime secretary Kay White has given notice of retirement and the personnel committee wil work on a replacement through Michigan Works.

—Heard the second round of letters on junk and long grass will go out this week.

—Purchased a mower from Pat’s Auto and Sport’s Center for $11,199.

—Approved a MERS amendment placing the former police department and hospital retirement obligations into one division.