Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
BESSEMER — Three appointments to Upper Peninsula agencies were approved at Wednesday’s reorganizational meeting of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners.
Joe Bonovetz, of Bessemer, who stepped down as chairman of the county board earlier in the meeting, was named to all three appointments.
On the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress, it was a reappointment for Bonovetz. The UPCAP board of directors will meet in February to act on the nominations from the various counties.
On the Michigan Works Upward Talent Council Board, Bonovetz will be Gogebic County’s representative and Tom Laabs, of Ironwood, will be the alternative.
The Upward Talent board is made up of the 15 U.P. counties — Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft.
The third appointment confirmed for Bonovetz on Wednesday is to the Upper Peninsula Energy Work Group, also representing the 15 U.P. counties.
The purpose of the group is to “establish a regional consensus on strategies and goals that address the existing and future needs of the U.P.,” according to Jonathan Mead, president and CEO of UPCAP.
Also, in an earlier appointment, Bonovetz replaced retired county commissioner Leroy Kangas, of Ironwood Township, on the Michigan Counties Workers Compensation Fund board, effective Jan. 1.
“We will certainly miss Leroy Kangas on the board. He was an excellent leader during his years of service, however we are confident Joe will be able to pick up right where Leroy left off,” wrote Timothy McGuire, executive director of MCWCF.