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Jobs focus for blue-collar write-in candidate

Hamilton

ONTONAGON — Bryan Hamilton’s family has lived in the area since the 1800s but until 2011 he was unable to himself due to lack of opportunities, something he would like to change as a county commissioner.

Hamilton is running as a write-in for District Five this November against Marlene Broemer. He currently holds the contested seat but was appointed in August following the resignation of commissioner Gray Webber due to health issues. As a result, both candidates are running as write-ins.

“After many people came and approached me about it (serving on the council), I decided that I would step up,” Hamilton said.

He participates in volunteer work around the county including delivering holiday meals with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly and serving on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Now that he’s started in the role, Hamilton would like to see it through, particularly focusing on jobs, economic development and adding a younger person’s input to the aging county.

“Most of our younger people are moving out and away to raise families. We need to find a way to bring in jobs and training so we can keep younger people here and raise their families,” he said… “I always wanted to be here because I loved the area so much but I couldn’t because there were no jobs really at that time to sustain me.”

Potential sources of future job growth include the proposed biofuel plant, copper developments, airport expansion, harbor clear up and tourism.

With the DDA, Hamilton has been looking into working with Gogebic Community College and the Ontonagon High school to offer training that might be useful in future industry.

“I’m a blue collar worker, so I’m kind of in touch with the people that are struggling and have jobs here in town,” Hamilton said. “They don’t talk to me as a politician, they just talk to me because I’m friends with them.”

He currently serves on several subcommittees including Strong Families/Safe Children, the Brownfield board, the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region, the Ottawa Forest Plan and Parks and Committee.

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