Ontonagon council votes to fire village manager

By JAN TUCKER

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Ontonagon — The Ontonagon Village Council, in a special meeting Wednesday, terminated the employment of Village Manager Joe Erickson on a split 3-2 vote. The number met quorum requirements, Village President Tony Smydra said, as two members Mike Morgon and Mike Rebholz — who were appointed to village trustee vacancies — will not be sworn in until the March meeting of the council.

The motion to release Erickson from his contract came following a discussion of the submission of a contract with the state concerning a dredging of the Ontonagon marina, which has already been done, according to Smydra.

The village has received $109,716 from the state, but was due to receive $134,952 on completion of the contract. Smydra explained that the former village clerk/treasurer, Kori Weisinger, discovered the village had never received the final payment.

Weisinger was hired on a temporary basis to go through the books of the past few years.

She contacted the state, which informed her the final submission for the money was “not submitted appropriately,” but the council could request an extension. The council then voted to apply for the extension, which was extended to Dec. 31.

Smydra said that following that action, the council discussed the situation and council member Sarah Hopper then moved to “terminate “ Erickson’s contract. Hopper, council member Don Chastan and Smydra voted yes, council members Elmer Marks Jr. and John Hamm voted no.

Erickson had no comment when contacted Thursday.