Soik hired as Alpena Clerk, Treasurer

ALPENA -- The replacement for City of Alpena Clerk/treasurer Karen Hebert said announced during the Alpena Municipal Council meeting Monday night.

After a thorough interview and screening process of more than 20 applicants, Anna Soik was appointed and officially named Clerk/Treasurer and Financial Director. Hebert's title has changed to assistant. Soik will begin in the clerk's office on Oct. 31 and work under the tutelage of Hebert and her staff.

Soik was born in Rogers City and raised in Posen where she still resides today. She earned a Bachelors degree in business administration from Baker College and accounting from Lake Superior State University. She is employed at Alpena Community College as an assistant controller and previously employed at Besser Company and Alpena Regional Medical Center.

She said she is excited for the opportunity the city has given her and ready to get to work.

"I thought I was going to retire from the college, but I am always looking for career advancements, but when this came up there was no way I was going to let it pass me," Soik said. "I'm very excited to get started on the journey. I know there will be a lot of learning and challenges, but I'm ready for that."

Hebert, who is retiring in January, said Soik is starting at a good time of the year. She said between now and the end of the year, she will be able to assist her in two important responsibilities.

"We will get her right into the election process and then we'll run winter taxes," Hebert said. "We'll be able to get a few of the larger duties out of the way and then I'll help teach her some of the other duties the rest of the time."

In other business:

∫ council voted to take $250,000 out of fund balance to pay for the reconstruction of the boardwalk at North Riverside Park. Work on it will begin in a few weeks and it should be complete in the spring.

∫ Halloween trick-or-treat hours in the city are from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.

∫ council voted to allow use of the parking lot on Carter Street for a free performance of Hamlet by the staff of Thunder Bay Theater. More details about the play will be released soon.

∫ the deadline for write-in candidates for a pair of council seats is Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.