Hamm

ONTONAGON — When John Hamm retired from 26 years working for the village department of public works, his next move was to run for village council, bringing his understanding of the village’s inner workings to the role.

“It was a case of there were a lot of things that were going on that I didn’t like and I thought (with) my background working for the village I could bring a lot to them,” he said.

After that first run in 2010, Hamm will be on the ballot again this November.

Hamm sees his knowledge of village infrastructure as a valuable addition bringing details and information to council members who don’t have that same experience.

“We’ve got a good council right now,” said Hamm. “We all get along, we all bring a little something different to the table.”

The village currently has many projects to work on including improvements to roads, sewer and parks. Hamm would like to see more people come to the village and stay.

“I would like us to be a destination instead of a pass-through town,” he said.

Potential areas of growth he sees are the SynSel Biofuel plant, copper mining, tourism and logging.

“My belief is you don’t ask businesses what they can do for you, you ask them what you can do for them to bring them to your town and improve your labor force,” he said.

Though he does not expect these improvements to be fast-paced, Hamm feels the village will get there one step at a time and has already started on the path. Including a few improved roads, water system updates and new parks.

“I grew up in this town. I know the town and I know its good points, I know its shortfalls and all of that. I’ve very aware of what’s going on,” Hamm said.

“My family came here in the late 1800s and we have been here ever since. I was born and raised in this town, my father was born and raised in this town and I’ve lived here all my life,” he said.

He currently serves in several other roles including on the Greenland Road School Commission, the Water Committee, the Building Committee and the Planning Commission.