Alpena Council works to fill mayor position
Cindy Johnson
Mike Nowak
Cindy Johnson
Mike Nowak
Trending
ALPENA -- On January 2, the Alpena Municipal Council will nominate and vote on candidates to fill the soon-to-be vacant mayor position.
It appears a pair of current council members, Mike Nowak and Mayor Pro Tempore Cindy Johnson, will throw their hats in the ring for the seat. The mayor position will become open on Dec. 31 when current mayor Matt Waligora officially steps down.
Waligora, who announced he was resigning because he had fulfilled his duty to voters, has another year left on his term, but whoever is chosen on Jan. 2, will finish out the balance of it.
Voters in Alpena will vote for a new mayor for a four-year term in November.
With Waligora no longer in the mix, there are only four members of the council, which could create a scenario where the votes are tied two to two and the nomination process has to begin again.
Johnson said if she is nominated, she would accept it and take on the duties of mayor, if that is what the balance of the council wants. She said whoever is appointed to become mayor, until the end of 2024, it will only be temporary because the voters will choose who they want during the general election.
"That's the way it should be and anyone who wants to run, whether they are on council or not, has the right to do so."
Johnson, who has been appointed mayor pro tempore for two terms, said she has not determined if she intends to run for mayor in November.
Nowak, who is the longest-serving member of the council after Waligora vacates his seat, said he intends to read a prepared statement to his fellow council members and hopes one nominates him. He said he does not intend to run for mayor next year, but believes having a mayor now, who isn't running as an incumbent, levels the playing field when elections roll along.
"I have the experience and leadership skills to carry on for Mayor Matt Waligora, and I have a few ideas of my own," Noawk said. "I don't plan on running, but I think having a mayor who will run gives them too much of an advantage during the election. I didn't plan on running for mayor, and if appointed now, that won't change."
Alpena Clerk Anna Soik said at the beginning of the meeting, that each council member who wants a chance to become mayor can issue a statement. Then the nomination and voting will occur. Soik said the nominees can vote for themselves, which can create the possibility of tie votes.
"If it ties, there will need to be another motion, discussion, and vote," she said. "The process will remain the same until someone concedes or wins the majority."
Alpena continues to seek applicants to finish out the term of whoever is appointed to be mayor.
Applications for an appointment to council are available on the city's website, alpena.mi.us.
Applications may also be picked up at the Clerk's Office at City Hall, 208 N. 1st Ave.
Applicants must complete an application and must:
∫ be 18 years or older
∫ not be in default to the city, Alpena Public Schools, Alpena County, or another municipal corporation
∫ be registered to vote in the city
∫ be a resident of the city for at least one year
∫ be a taxpayer in the city
All completed applications must be submitted to the Clerk's Office by 4 p.m. Jan. 5.
If multiple applications are received, the council may choose to interview candidates in an open meeting.
Council has until Jan. 31 to fill the soon-to-be vacant council seat.