Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Experience proved to be the ruling factor in choosing the positions of chairman and deputy chairman for the makeup of the 2008 Presque Isle City Council.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CITY COUNCIL unanimously approved Ed Nickerson, at left, as deputy chairman for a second year, and Walt Elish, at right, as chairman for a second term. In light of continued discussions on several topics, councilors sited men’s experience in their respective seats as the key reason for voting to keep Nickerson and Elish in their positions as Presque Isle City Council’s deputy chairman and chairman.
“It’s rare you have back-to-back (representation) in the chair. I was the first one back then (1999 and 2000) to do that. We were in the middle of discussion on the Public Safety Building and didn’t want to make a change,” said Councilman Ron McPherson.
McPherson continued, explaining that Councilor Calvin Hall followed suit during his tenure as Council chairman.
“Calvin continued (as chairman) following the death of Bob Poiesz. I think we’re in the same unique situation. On the table there are a tremendous amount of projects and activities we’d like to get done. It takes six months to get to know all being a chair entails. I’d like to put it on the table for Walt (Elish) at this time,” said McPherson.
Elish was elected and spent 2007 representing the city as chairman of the Council.
McPherson’s motion was seconded by Council Deputy Chairman Ed Nickerson, before receiving unanimous approval.
Elish thanked his fellow councilors for their vote of approval.
“I’m seasoned, at this point, (and ready) to lead us into 2008. We don’t always agree on everything, but we don’t tend to take things personally, which says a lot about us and separates us from other councils in Aroostook County,” said Elish.
Councilman Don Gardner followed suit, nominated Nickerson as deputy chairman, with Councilman G. Melvin Hovey seconding the motion. As with Elish, Nickerson received unanimous approval and will assist Elish on the Council throughout 2008.
