Smydra

ONTONAGON — With a family history going back to 1848, when Tony Smydra returned to the village of Ontonagon, he wanted to continue the family legacy of giving back.

“We have a family value of service to community and we believe that you should always give back to your community,” Smydra said. “…That’s the family value that’s been passed down for generations and on to my kids and my grandkids.”

First appointed to a vacancy on the village council seven years ago, Smydra is running again for his seat on the village council in November and sees the village on the brink of better things.

“Right now I’m feeling really good about running again,” he said. “I see that we are at a turning point with the village, we’re on the cusp of growth and change and I feel it’s important for me to run again so that I can help be a part of the team that guides us as we make those next moves.”

With successful projects in recreation and the possibilities of developments with biofuel and mining operations coming to the area, Smydra is expecting growth.

Smydra hopes to soon address infrastructure to prepare for that growth, including regular harbor dredging and bringing a range of housing options to the area.

“We should be looking at all of the different kinds of housing that are available and what can we do as a village to facilitate it,” Smydra said, mentioning the possibility of town or tiny houses.

These changes will have to be managed positively, working with local businesses, like the partnership with Lake Shore Systems that now allows downtown beachfront access to an area once fenced off.

He also sees more potential in recreation, with water trails, and cooperation with MI-trails for ATVs already in place he hopes to do the same for biking.

A retired community member, Smydra spends a lot of time working on projects in the village and serving in other local government roles. He is active in the village and village-township Recreation Commissions and serves on the County Planning Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, is chair of the Greenland Road School Commission, and serves on the personnel and building committees.

Smydra is pleased with the work done by the village council previously, including working together to improve recreation and make the village more financially stable.