Ontonagon Village Council votes to renew manager's contract

By JAN TUCKER

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Ontonagon - The Ontonagon Village Council Monday unanimously approved a new contract for Village Manager Joe Erickson. Erickson has been village manager since January 2012. According to the council the new three year contract is nearly the same as the previous one with some minor word changes.

Erickson said he was pleased with the contract. "I am eager to continue working on projects which will bring additional progress to the community. He noted the village is already seeing progress in several areas on a new beach, pocket park and efforts to tear down blighted property. He said the village is eager to work with groups or companies to bring jobs to the area as well. Erickson is also a member of OCAP and Men's Association. "I'm pleased with the contract because I like this community."

Erickson's annual salary remains as set under previous agreements and thereafter, annual salary adjustments will be equal to the percentage increase of the union contract. The contract also outlines responsibility,health insurance which is equivalent to the union contract, retirement plan, expense allowance, holidays, termination and resignation. It also details a performance review from the council on an annual basis. The review will include, accomplishments areas where improvements are needed and twice a year to review goals with the personnel committee.

Erickson said when he arrived in Ontonagon it was at the "bottom of the barrel " with job losses and people leaving for jobs elsewhere. " We are on the way up" with people buying houses and the promise of new jobs preparing to move to the community. "We are welcoming the challenges and promise of the future."