Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Robert Peterson
By P.J. GLISSON
Wakefield - Members of the Wakefield City Council voted Monday evening to hire Robert E. Peterson, an attorney from Ontonagon, to oversee an audit by an independent party that will test city meters to determine their present and ongoing viability.
The decision was made after City Manager Robert Brown asked Peterson 10 questions, after which council members were welcome to respond to the candidate's answers.
During the course of questioning, Peterson shared information regarding his education in science, engineering, and law, along with his 18-year career in the U.S. Army. He also once ran his own private investigation agency.
While answering several of the questions regarding his attention to detail, his ability to document, his experience in making ethical decisions, and his ease in coordinating with multiple entities at a time, Peterson repeatedly drew more from his experience in the military than anything else.
In a statement to the council, Brown noted the importance of assuring that the city meters "are functioning correctly, with error-free programming" and added that the pending audit also will "identify the average age of meters currently in use."
City Attorney Ray O'Dea recommended Peterson for the position.
The council also:
-Voted to approve a city alcohol policy, effective immediately, with contingencies that it now shall include a provision for the city's volunteer fire department to serve alcohol at the fire hall for special events and that sponsors of events held on city property be required to secure their own alcohol permits and to be responsible for monitoring alcohol input of event attendees.
-Voted to authorize the city manager and the city attorney to execute a subordinate clause to a property deed held by Brian Miljevich of MLC of Wakefield, Inc. The new clause will allow Miljevich the option to use his property as collateral for a loan.
-On a recommendation from the planning commission, voted to approve a three-year lease for the Split Rock Trail Association on 10 acres of property from Section 10 for use as a public trail system, for which SRTA members have volunteered ongoing responsibility.
-Voted to pay to the Gogebic County Council of Veterans Affairs $2,578, which the council designated as the city's prorated portion of costs to help assist county veterans, along with their dependents and survivors.
-Learned from Brown that he has accepted membership on the Michigan Municipal League's committees for professional development and for Ethics.
The council's next regular meeting will be on Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission also will meet today at 5:30 p.m. Both sessions will be in the council room of the municipal building, and the public is welcome.
In addition, Saturday will be the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department's annual fishing contest on Sunday Lake from 11 a..m. until 4 p.m.
