Incoming leaders highlight upcoming changes in ?06
A New Year has arrived and with it will be a handful of stories to watch in 2006. The wait for The Advance New Year?s baby is already underway. That will be one of the early stories to follow in the coming weeks, but there are others of interest to look out for as well; whether it?s the hiring or appointing of new leaders in the area, construction of new condominiums, or the tracking of a special group of athletes to the state finals in March. There should be plenty of interesting stories to follow in the New Year. Here are some of things to look for in the coming months:
Searching for superintendents
Two school districts in our area will begin looking for new superintendents in the coming days and weeks, after talks involving a shared superintendent in the Posen Consolidated Schools and Rogers City Area Schools came to a halt when the Posen Board of Education decided it wasn?t in their district?s best interest to continue any further. According to board president Ken Wozniak, the position of superintendent/principal will be posted internally within the next week. The school board will see if there is any interest by month?s end and then continue from there. There is no timeline for a superintendent search in Rogers City. Board president Mike Marx said Monday that it will be one of the topics discussed at the next school board meeting, which is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Grambau Center. While the services of the superintendent office will not be shared, other resources may very well be in ?06. Some school officials believe last year?s discussions may have opened the door to other possibilities. It also will be interesting to see what the response will be to Alpena Community College classes at the Grambau Center.
County leadership
The New Year will bring a new director of the County Development Commission (CDC) and the Economic Development Corporation, as well as a new person to lead the CDC board this year. Bill Valentine, who has worked as a staff writer for the Presque Isle Newspapers the last year and a half, was the best choice according to the executive committee, and has been recommended to take over as director. All that?s needed to make his hiring official is a nod from the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners and a new contract. There was no discussion on the director position at the last county board meeting December 28, but the commission did receive the resignation of Dave Viegelahn, chairman of the CDC. The commissioners will now have to appoint a new member to the CDC board. A new chairman also will need to be appointed. In the early days of the New Year, the annual organizational meeting is conducted to decide who will be appointed in the top leadership roles on the county board for the next year. Longtime commissioner Allan Bruder has held the gavel as chairman for several terms. At year?s end, some commissioners will find out if they?ll be keeping their jobs, because it is an election year. The race for governor in ?06 will receive most of the election publicity, but voters also will be deciding who they want to represent them in the five districts in the county.
Chamber broadens its search
Al Stiller has been serving as interim executive director of the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce, and may need to continue in that role for a few weeks or more. The chamber started its search for an executive director in December but have not received any applications. Stiller said there have been some inquiries, but no serious candidates. The chamber has decided to broaden its search by placing ads in publications outside of Presque Isle County. Stiller was pleased with the close of 2005, and the success of the Rogers City home shopping dollars. More than $3,500 worth of certificates were issued, and Stiller said his group hopes to expand the service in 2006. The holder of the home shopping dollar is committed to spending the certificates locally, Stiller said, which is good for area businesses. The goal was to reach $4,000, but Stiller said the program started late. Along with expanded services, look for changes on the chamber web page. The
City project
For Federated Properties, Inc. of Grand Rapids, 2005 was spent cutting through red tape in obtaining a single business tax credit for the proposed Lakeview development project which could eventually see construction of new condominiums near Lake Huron. The tax credit was obtained from the state, and the architectural committee approved plans in December. All that?s left is construction of the first home. The city has been told the model home could go up, if weather permits, during the winter months, or this spring.
Road to a state title
The Huron wrestling team found out what it takes to get to the state championship match at Battle Creek in 2005. This year Rogers City?s wrestlers, many of whom returned from last year?s great title run, are back and ready to complete the task this time around. There are great expectations on the team, and head coach Pat Lamb doesn?t see it any other way for one of the most respected programs in northern Michigan. The only place to go from last year is up, and the only thing left to do is win a Division IV state championship. Senior Dylan Centala also will be looking to make RCHS history by becoming the first wrestler to win two state titles. He is undefeated this season, and if injuries don?t slow him, Centala is a sure bet to become a four-time state placer.