Loeper resigns as drain commissioner

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Bessemer — Gogebic County needs a new drain commissioner.

James Loeper resigned from the elected position Wednesday, indicating he needs to cut back on the many “hats” that he is wearing in the county. He is the county’s emergency management director and will continue to work in that capacity.

Loeper wrote, “It has been a pleasure and learning experience being drain commissioner.”

He resigned effective Feb. 1.

While it’s not a full-time job, a few years ago Loeper was spending more time as drain commissioner than he had bargained for when there was a dispute about drainage from a lake in Watersmeet.

Gogebic County Clerk Gerry Pelissero said the county election commission will need to appoint a new drain commissioner, since it is an elective office. The three members of the commission who will make the appointment are Pelissero, Judge Joel Massie and Prosecutor Nick Jacobs.

In the past, the panel has been called to appoint a sheriff and prosecutor, among other offices.

On Wednesday, the county board re-appointed Loeper to a three-year term on the Upper Peninsula 911 Authority. His previous term for that position expired at the end of 2017.