Volunteers sought for vacancies
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City officials are seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on various boards and committees.
City Manager Jim Bennett told councilors at Monday night’s meeting that while several open seats can be filled by re-appointing past members who’ve expressed interest in returning to those positions, several more seats remain empty.
“You have eight vacancies. In your packets you’ll find a number of individuals who’ve expressed interest. It usually takes 30-60 days to fill remaining vacancies and often takes an article in the paper to fill those,” said Bennett.
Councilors filled one of three vacant seats on the Airport Advisory Board by re-appointing Granville Lamb Jr. to a four-year term. A one-year seat for a “general citizen” remains vacant, as does a three-year term for a “business and industry representative.”
Curt Paterson was re-appointed to a one-year term on the Audit Committee.
“Leigh Smith has chaired the Downtown Revitalization Committee for a couple years and the group’s done a great job. Leigh’s asked to be reappointed,” said Bennett, with councilors approving Smith for the four-year term on the DRC.
Another four-year term on the DRC remains vacant.
Louise Hamlin and Richard Kimball were re-appointed to three-year terms on the Library Board of Trustees.
“You have three seats open on the Planning Board. Pamela Sweetser asked to be re-appointed to a four-year term,” said Bennett, with councilors approving Sweetser for the position.
The two other positions, one for a two-year term and the other a three-year, remain open.
Councilors approved the re-appointment of Linda Smith to a three-year term on the Presque Isle Development Fund Board of Trustees.
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board had two vacancies, with Kevin Sipe being re-appointed to a four-year term, while another four-year seat remains to be filled.
“The Zoning Board of Appeals is another committee that’s pretty important to the community, not that other’s aren’t. But these are statutory (decisions). Marcella Walton has expressed interest in returning to her seat,” said Bennett, with councilors approving Walton for a four-year term.
Two vacancies remain on the Zoning Board of Appeals: a one-year term and a two-year term.
“This is down from the laundry list a year ago,” said Bennett. “Anyone interested in any of these positions can get more information by calling the city clerk.”
For more information on the openings, call City Clerk Bev Labbe at 760-2720.
