Ontonagon village to accept applications for District 3 seat

By JAN TUCKER

[email protected]

Ontonagon — The Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners, Tuesday, rose to pay tribute to its newest commissioner, David Nykanen, who died Monday. David Nykanen was elected to the District 3 commission seat in October, 2016 when he defeated long time commission Chairman John Pelkola by three votes. Dave Nykanen is the brother to County Board Chairman Carl Nykanen and was serving his first time on the board.

Later in the meeting the board voted to take applications for the District 3 seat which includes residents in Stannard, Interior and Rockland Townships. The appointment for the position will be determined by the Clerk, Stacy Preiss, Prosecutor Mike Findlay and Probate Judge Janis Burgess.

At the onset of the meeting the board and county officials were surprised by the announcement by Vicki White, Ontonagon County Transit Director that she will retire Jan. 31. White has served as director for 27 years. She added that she is working with a Transit employee who can perform the job until such time as the commission decides on the next step. White received praise from commissioners on the professional way she performed her job. Commissioner Gray Webber said that every issue or question, “Vicki was on top of it with the answers we needed.” Her retirement was accepted with regret by the board.

The board went into a closed session for nearly an hour to discuss labor negotiations. Upon return they approved the tentative agreement with the county employees, Sheriff Department and transit employees. They declined to announce the provisions of the contract until it is ratified by the union.

The commission announced it will take applications for positions on several boards. The Ontonagon Economic Development board, County Planning Commission, Department of Health and Human Services Board, U.P. Planning and Development, County Library Board, Substance Abuse Agency Board, Forestry Commission, and Brownfield Authority are all seeking members. Applications must submit a brief letter which will be accepted until 4 p.m. December 13.

In other action the county board:

—Decided the county employees will have their holiday days off on December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2.

—Granted county full time employees a $25 Christmas bonus in the form of a gift certificate from various county businesses.

—Approved the bid of John D Contracting for snow removal at the jail and ambulance garage.

—Supported the regional prosperity grant application at WUPPDR.

—Renewed the license fee for the Ontonagon County Park.

—Agreed to the Consulting Services of MGT Consulting.

—And approved a proposal to re-monument four additional corners.