Siirila takes over from Peterson as board chair

By RALPH ANSAMI

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BESSEMER — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners reorganized Wednesday with two people absent.

Dan Siirila, of Ironwood, (commissioner district 1), was elected chair. He’ll replace George Peterson, of Watersmeet, who was absent.

Newcomer Joann Balduc, of Ironwood, (commission district 4), was also absent. She previously told the board she would miss January meetings because of medical issues.

Jim Byrns, of Ironwood’s commissioner district 3, was elected vice-chair of the seven-person county board. Bob Orlich, of Wakefield, and Joe Bonovetz, of Bes...