Oath of office administered to incoming councilmen

Two Rogers City men, one with three decades of public service and another who has yet to attend his first public meeting as a city representative, took their oath of office along with mayor Beach Hall Monday, following the final Rogers City Council meeting of the year. Gary Nowak and Patrick Lamb were the leading vote-getters in November of the four candidates running for the two available council seats.

Nowak has served city residents on and off since his election in 1973; he also was a county commissioner for four years. Lamb is a newcomer to public office. Longtime clerk/treasurer Theresa Heinzel swore the three in as a handful of family members watched and took pictures.

?I AM EXCITED about being involved,? said Lamb, attending the meeting with his wife Kim. ?I?m really happy that people voted for me. I can?t wait to get on the council where I can start, hopefully making a difference and start seeing some new things happen around here.? Lamb said he?s already received several phone calls from some of the constituents he will represent. ?I?m sure it?s going to ring a lot more,? Lamb said.

After the ceremony, Nowak enjoyed holiday refreshments with his wife Joan, and said he is ready for the challenges. ?I have some ideas I would like to implement after the first of the year, when I get in. Nothing drastic — but try to get the city to move forward,? said Nowak. The meeting also marked the end of a nearly 15-year stint on council for councilwoman Deb Greene.

DURING THE closing minutes of the morning session, she read from a prepared statement and said ?being on the council has been a g

ood experience for me. ?In the past few years I am pleased to have successfully supported recreational opportunities for all ages…? Greene cited the park linkage system, public safety improvements, business corridor projects, and creating a financial support system to assist local businesses. In her parting thoughts, Greene stressed the importance of communication among council members and administrators.

?The council makes decisions as a group and not as individuals,? she said. ?Each member only has one vote, which makes communication between all council members imperative to reflect each member?s input.

?My fond wish for the new council is that they emphasize the benefits of communicating with each other in their attempt to make the best decisions for all of us in Rogers City.? The first council meeting of the new year will be January 5.