Council looks to fill municipal board seats
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City councilors continue to look for candidates for vacancies on various boards and committees, after accepting the resignation of two individuals from their positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Downtown Revitalization Committee.
The latest resignations were announced during the March 2 monthly meeting and were included in the consent agenda listing. Marcella Walton cited medical reasons for her decision to leave the Zoning Board, while Marty Parsons left the DRC due to relocating out of state.
Councilor Dick Engels moved to approve the consent agenda, as presented, noting councilors “accepted the resignations with regret.” Councilor Randy Smith seconded the motion, with the vote unanimous.
In February, Roland Joy expressed interest in a seat on the DRC.
“I met with Roland. He’s actively interested in taking some time to work with the DRC and lend his past life experience and travels and such to the committee. I enthusiastically endorse him for the committee. I move to appoint Roland Joy to a four-year term, to expire Dec. 31, 2018,” said Councilor Craig Green, with Councilor Leigh Smith seconding the motion, with the vote to approve unanimous.
During the same meeting, Rick Graves IV was unanimously reappointed to the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board, term to expire Dec. 31, 2018.
Councilor Chair Emily Smith noted there are still several vacancies and urged anyone interested in serving to contact City Hall.
“For the Airport, one thing coming up in the next year or so is the air service bid. If someone is interested in how PenAir is doing and (how they handle) connections, this is the board they should volunteer on,” said City Manager Jim Bennett.
Currently seats available include:
• Airport Advisory Board, two positions, with one four-year term representing “general citizenry” and expiring Dec. 31, 2018, while the other, a three-year term, represents “business and industry” and expires Dec. 31, 2017;
• Planning Board, one seat, for a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2017;
• Registration Appeals Board, three seats — one regular and two alternates — for three-year terms, expiring Dec. 31, 2017; and
• Zoning Board of Appeals, one seat as an alternate, for the remainder of a four-year term, expiring Dec. 31, 2015.
Anyone interested in any of these positions should contact City Clerk Bev Labbe at City Hall. Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 6 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, call 760-2785.
