Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
A LARGE crowd attends a Friday special Wakefield City Council meeting where Margot Anderson, city manager, resigned. From left at the table are Joe DelFavero, Dick Bolen, Bob Blaskowski, Mayor Les Schneck, Ted Finco and Anderson.
WAKEFIELD - With a tear in her eye, Margot Anderson resigned as city manager of Wakefield Friday afternoon.
Around 30 people showed up at the municipal building for the special meeting concerning a personnel matter. After an hour-and-a-half closed session discussion involving the city council and city attorney Michael Pope, Mayor Les Schneck announced Anderson's resignation.
Schneck said Anderson will receive a severance package, including a one-year salary of $50,000, six months health insurance for two people and a letter of recommendation. The council unanimously approved.
In return, Schneck said Anderson will sign a release so the city "will not be liable for anything."
Until the council's organizational meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m., Schneck suggested Sherry Ravelli serve as interim city manager for the city. The council approved.
During public comment, Kathy Phillips, of Wakefield, asked why Anderson can't work with the newly-elected city council. "I think she can work well with the new council," Phillips said.
After adjournment, Anderson left the building alongside council members who also won't be serving the city anymore. Three incumbents - Schneck, Ted Finco and Richard Bolen - failed to win re-election.
The new council will include incumbents Robert Blaskowski, Joe DelFavero and newcomers John Granato, Amy Tarro and Kay Wiita.
Wakefield's city council election was hotly contested, with a 47 percent turnout, compared to Bessemer's 32 percent and Ironwood's 17 percent.
Anderson said she thinks the council is moving in a different direction.
"Today's change in leadership allows the new council to pursue their agenda freely and the community to move beyond the election," Anderson said.
Looking back at her time serving the city of Wakefield, Anderson said she doesn't regret anything.
"Moving back home to the U.P. is one of the best things that's ever happened for me," she said. "I've made a lot of great friends and worked with good people on the council and across the region. It was a pleasure to serve the citizens of Wakefield, and I look forward to finding other ways to continue moving our region forward," she said.
