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Ontonagon remembers Herald publisher

ONTONAGON — The passing of Ontonagon Herald owner and publisher, and recent village trustee, Maureen Guzek was memorialized during Village President Tony Smydra’s president’s report. After being appointed to the council, Guzek was elected to the trustee position during this past November’s general election.

With the unexpected death of Guzek, the village council now has two vacancies to fill. After getting elected, and not making a single meeting, Jessica Huntzinger resigned her position in January. Huntzinger had missed all five meetings after being elected.

Smydra claimed Huntzinger had been sworn in on Dec. 11. Video and audio tapes of the meetings since Dec. 11, along with her swearing-in, do not seem to reflect this, neither does the council minutes.

The council passed a resolution on both vacancies. Sue Lockhart stated that she did not recall the council passing a resolution when a vacancy occurred. As has been a regular part of the ending of a council meeting, Smydra attacked what is said in Public Comment, along with social media, and “other” media. Smydra disagreed with Lockhart’s statement, stating that is not true.

Smydra also detailed what an applicant for either vacancy must do. One of the requirements include a financial disclosure.

A village resident stated during Public Comment that the council should choose individuals that ran for the trustee positions.

The village’s financial concerns were discussed again. Village Manager Joe Erickson gave a follow-up on the recent audit.

“I am working with Willie (DuPont, the village clerk) and the auditor to prepare responses to the deficiencies for treasury,” Erickson said. “I have sent some information to the Finance Committee on a fund balance and excess expenditures/budget monitoring policies.”

The village’s Community Action Plan was due by Feb. 3.

The main financial concern the council has deals with the Municipal Employee Retirement System (MERS). This is in regards to the previously owned village hospital. As Smydra promised at the previous meeting, this is now a regular issue on the agenda.

A public hearing was held on the village’s new Downtown Development Authority zoning. Erickson gave a detailed report on the changes. Smydra and Trustee John Hamm commended the Planning Commission for all the work they did laying out all the changes. 

The changes can be seen at the village offices.

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