Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Gerry Pelissero, right, swears in James Lorenson who took an oath filling a vacancy on the Gogebic County Board. Board member George Peterson is in the background.
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Bessemer - The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved James Lorenson's appointment to the board and he was sworn into office by County Clerk Gerry Pellisero at the board's Wednesday evening meeting.
Lorenson of Ironwood applied to the board for the vacancy in District 4 made by the recent resignation of Joann Balduc of Bessemer Township. District 4 is made up of all of Erwin Township, Bessemer Township and Ramsay, excluding Bessemer Township north of U.S. 2, and a portion of the city of Ironwood.
Lorenson retired as president of Gogebic Community College in June 2017. Prior employment included three years as deputy with the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department as well as six years working for Procter & Gamble in natural resource management. He holds a bachelor's degree in forest management from Michigan Technological University and an associate degree from GCC.
Lorenson told the Daily Globe his entire work career involved working with civic and community organizations and that is something he wishes to continue during his retirement.
"Gogebic County has a lot of challenges facing it. I don't have magic answers, I don't have a silver bullet," he said.
He looks forward to working with the talent on the board to help resolve some of those issues. He said when the opportunity opened up, he was encouraged to take it.
"I regret how the position became available," Lorenson said. "My thoughts and prayers are with Joann as she faces her challenges."
In other business, the board:
-Approved the appropriation of $17,500 to the Gogebic County Fair for 2019.
-Approved contracts to rehabilitate 1,760 feet of a 50-foot wide taxiway at the Gogebic-Iron County Airport.
