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HANCOCK -- The Hancock City Council appointed its newest member Wednesday night.
The council named Ryan Tanner to fill the vacancy created last month when former Mayor Paul LaBine resigned to become Houghton County prosecutor.
"It's an honor to be picked, and I really hope I can represent the residents of Hancock," Tanner said.
His swearing-in did not take place Wednesday due to the length of the agenda.
Tanner works as an agile coach and project manager at ThermoAnalytics, and also served in the Army.
"I noticed since COVID, there's been a lot of people moving in, and we've had many new challenges arise," he said. "It seems like everybody's moving around town, and moving around the country. They say change happens at the local level, that's where new things take place. I guess I thought it's time I got involved."
Tanner said he still has a lot to learn about the procedural workings of the council.
"I would be very interested in ... understanding the city's budget and those buckets of money and what the finances look like and help that guide my decisions," he said. "I'm no fan of real estate taxes going up, so I'm hoping we're best utilizing our resources."
Other applicants were Mariana Grohowski, Braden Knoop, Zachary Osborn, Margo Pizzi and John Zurcher.
Tanner was nominated by Councilor Ron Blau; Mayor Pro Tem Lisa McKenzie seconded the motion. He was voted in 4-2, with Councilors Whitney Warstler and Amanda Lounibos voting against.
Council members said it had been a strong field of applicants.
"I didn't have to stand up there and speak, I was voted in ... that's tough to go up and speak," said Councilor Rick Freeman, Jr. "So props to everybody that went up there and presented themselves to us."
The council also appointed members to fill Labine's former spots on subcommittee assignments. Councilor Whitney Warstler was added to the ordinance review committee, while Freeman was appointed to the ad hoc acquisition committee.
A Zoning Board of Appeals position was tabled to be voted upon by the full council. Prior to the motion to table, Warstler suggested Tanner.