ALPENA — The foundations were laid in 2019 and earlier years for several consequential and controversial issues expected to come to a head in the new year.

Lake Huron rose up to overtake our shores. The final nails were being hammered on several major construction projects. Long-term debt came calling. Fights brewed.

As the big ball falls in Times Square, here’s a look at what you can expect in 2020 in Northeast Michigan.

TERMINAL OPENS, JAIL

PROGRESSES

A new, nearly $13 million terminal at the Alpena County Regional Airport is expected to be up and operational next month. The project, funded mostly through the federal government, replaces a terminal built in the 1950s with a more modern terminal with better design and more amenities.

Meanwhile, construction is expected to progress on a new, more than $11 million Alpena County jail that was funded by a new countywide property tax but has been delayed by several snafus and setbacks.

SMOLINSKI TAKES OVER

Rachel Smolinski, the former chief of the Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority, took over as city manager in Alpena, replacing the retiring Greg Sundin.

As Smolinski settles into her new role into 2020, she’ll face some hot-button issues, including economic development, the city’s stance on both recreational and medical marijuana, a proposal for a paid parking downtown, and the city’s dispute with Alpena Township over water and sewer rates.

WINFIELD TRIAL

The trial for Heather Winfield, the former Alpena Public Schools teacher accused of sexual misconduct toward a former student, is scheduled to begin Jan. 20.

Winfield has denied wrongdoing, and her attorneys have pointed out in previous court hearings that her accuser has sometimes changed his story and exaggerated some points. Prosecutors have countered that physical evidence, including hotel and other receipts, bank records, and more, have corroborated key details in the boy’s story.

This month, a jury is expected to weigh in. Winfield faces up to life in prison.

WATER-SEWER FIGHT

This year, the years-long fight between Alpena and Alpena Township over what the city charges the township for water and sewer services headed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. A mediation session ordered by the appellate judges yielded no resolution, and the case is still under consideration by the judges.

The court is expected to rule this year.

MACK INVESTIGATION, NEW JUDGE

In November, the Michigan Supreme Court removed Judge Michael Mack as chief judge of the 26th Circuit Court and replaced him with Montmorency County Probate Judge Benjamin Bolser, who immediately suspended Mack from overseeing any cases. The Michigan State Police then confirmed Mack was under investigation, but wouldn’t say why. Mack then announced his retirement will be official in January.

This year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will announce a temporary replacement for Mack, who will serve until voters choose a new judge in the November elections. Alpena County Prosecutor Ed Black is seeking the judgeship, so it’s possible to see a new prosecutor, too.

While the courthouse shakeup is sure to happen, it isn’t clear if the State Police will release any details of Mack’s case. Such investigations can take years.

ALPENA SCHOOL BOND

After a failed bond proposal in May, Alpena Public Schools will ask voters in March for permission to sell $33.9 million in bonds. If approved, the bond sale would raise money for facilities repairs, such as roofs, boilers, and security at the schools and be repaid through property taxes over several years.

The district does not expect the sale would raise taxes, as existing bond debt is about to be paid off and the district would just continue the tax rate for another 25 years. If the bonds are rejected, taxes are expected to drop in 2021.

SHORELINE DAMAGE

Area public works officials are fearing the spring 2020 thaw, which could reveal severe damage along the Lake Huron shoreline from record-high waters.

Rogers City officials, for example, are monitoring damage to the city’s beachfront, bike paths and parks. The city has already invested money to stabilize Smitka Park and will have to replace sections of its bike path in the spring. However, city officials are keeping an eye out for potential damage to its wellhouse at Seagull Point Park.

In Alpena, the waters have damaged the sidewalks near Bay View Park and washed away volleyball courts at Mich-e-ke-wis Park. They, too, have spent thousands of dollars on repairs.

High water means big ice, and officials are fearful.

BATTLE FOR THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE

What we do know is that former Alpena County undersheriff Terry King is squaring off against Sheriff Steve Kieliszewski in the November elections.

What we don’t know is whether 2020 will answer any questions about why.

King resigned earlier this year to avoid being fired by Kieliszewski, who said he had lost faith in his undersheriff over several missteps throughout the year. King immediately announces his intention to run against Kieliszewski and later sued the sheriff, claiming he was wrongly ousted for being a whistleblower.

That lawsuit could conclude in 2020.

Also still outstanding is a state investigation into King’s management of the Sheriff’s Office’s contract to provide security at the Alpena County Combat Readiness Training Center. The sheriff lost that contract to a lower bidder this year.

ELECTIONS

The November elections have the potential to reshape area government.

In addition to the presidency, up for grabs this year will be county commissioners, county clerks, treasurers, prosecutors, and sheriffs throughout the area. State Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, will also be on the ballot, as will U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman,R-Watersmeet, each of whom are seeking a third term.

ALCONA COUNTY PONDERS MILLAGE

The Alcona County Board of Commissioners will continue to discuss how to fund repairs to all of its facilities and may ask voters for a new property tax to fund those repairs.

Alcona County voters twice rejected property tax requests in 2018.

The county board has discussed how it’s going to fund a new roof for the county building, replace the drain lines under the county jail, and conduct ongoing maintenance to other properties it owns and manages.

MONTMORENCY COUNTY TALKS PENSION DEBT

The Montmorency County Board of Commissioners will likely continue discussions in the new year about how it will fund its payments to the Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan.

The board has discussed selling bonds to raise money toward the pension debt, as Rogers City has done, because bond payments are more stable than fluctuating pension debt payments.

Montmorency County’s pensions were 54.4% funded as of 2018, according to MERS, meaning that the county could pay about half of its retirees if all benefits were claimed today.

Officials in Alpena and Presque Isle counties are also keeping an eye on their pension debt.