By Rosemary Horvath
Herald Correspondent
[private]Alma City commissioners began their organizational meeting last week by unanimously electing Greg Mapes to another 2-year term as mayor.
He along with vice-mayor Roxann Harrington will serve through December, 2024. No other candidates were nominated for the positions.
According to City Clerk Sara Anderson, records show Mapes was first appointed to the city commission in 2002 to fill an unexpired term due to a resignation, and has been elected by voters ever since. He has served as mayor for six years.
Commissioner Roger Allman, in his motion to nominate Mapes for another mayoral term, said the candidate knows “the ins and outs of city government” and will continue “as an excellent mayor.” Commissioners agreed.
Michelle Pitts was absent from the meeting, but she, Harrington and Daniel Wernick began 4-year terms, along with new commissioner Laurie Harrison.
Newcomer Andrew Bare began a 2-year term.
Other items of business at the meeting included appointing Adam Flory as city attorney, and Pamela Munderloh as assistant city attorney. Both are affiliated with the Smith Boville law practice that has absorbed the former Alma law practice of Fortino, Plaxton, Costanzo.
Regular commission meetings take place at the Alma Municipal Building at 6 p.m. on second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are available for viewing on the city’s YouTube channel.
The commission also approved an assortment of investment and banking options at six banks, and four investment firms.
Highlighting the first city commission meeting of 2023 was approval of resolutions recognizing contributions of longtime city employees upon retirement: Detective Jeffrey Hedrick, Firefighter Steve Frost and Firefighter Bob Beard were recommended by the Department of Public Safety.
Hedrick retired in September 2022 following 34 years. He began as police officer and finished as detective. Along the way, he received Life Saving Awards in 2014 and 2018, and Medal of Honor in 2021. He has volunteered for many community projects and served as union president for the force.
Frost completed 25 years of service up to February, 2022. The Class A Firefighter had fulfilled role of engineer and trained probationary firefighter. He also had joined the Gratiot County Dive Team.
Beard had 37 years as a firefighter. In 1985, he was a founding member of the Gratiot County Dive Team. He is recognized for helping write standard operating procedures, serving as Deputy Chief, and participating in community projects.
City commissioners are expected to present plagues of appreciation to former commissioners Nick Piccolo and Audra Stahl at the Jan. 24 meeting.
Another noteworthy item was shared by City Manager Aeric Ripley by noting licensing accreditations earned by five employees at the Wastewater Treatment and Water Distribution/Water Filtration Departments.
Earning D licenses are Gavin Balcom, Chad Desrochers, Mike Gridley.
Doug Sierakowski and Aaron Hale earned water distribution/filtration licenses.
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