News photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Tuesday, Kim Elkie, director of Alpena County Central Dispatch, is seen handing Presidential Commendations from United States President Donad Trump to Alpena County employees and elected officials.

ALPENA — Though Alpena County is still recovering from the 2026 ice storm, Kim Elkie, director of Alpena County Central Dispatch, recognized the efforts of public safety personnel during the 2025 ice storm at the Alpena County Board of Commissioner’s meeting on Tuesday.

Elkie first awarded 911 Central Dispatch employees with State Tributes from the State of Michigan in recognition of their work during the 2025 ice storm. Awardees included Adam Lumsden, Laura Ringlein, Matt Miller, Eric Carlson, Kim Lash, Alysse Susan, Jessica Bolanowski, Taylor Friday, Mckenna Schafer, and Pam Susan (retirement tribute).

She said that the awards were in recognition of “your extraordinary contributions during this declared disaster.”

“These honors reflect not only official gratitude but the profound appreciation of every resident whose call you answered,” she added. “You are the calm in the storm, the unseen heroes who hold the line when everything else falters. Our community is safer and stronger because of you.”

After dispatch employees received their awards, Elkie invited Alpena County Sheriff Erik Smith, County Administrator Jesse Osmer, 911 Lead Dispatcher Rory Sherwood, and Administrative Assistant to the Sheriff Kat Tomaszewski to accept Presidential Commendations from United States President Donald Trump for their work during the 2025 ice storm.

Elkie said that Smith was the first person she called when the 2025 ice storm first began last year and thanked him for his leadership and support.

“You delivered supplies around the county as well as to our neighbors, repaired borrowed assets that we received damaged … I could go on and on, list countless tasks you undertook,” Elkie said. “These humble, selfless acts speak volumes about the respected public safety leader you are.”

Elkie next thanked Tomaszewski for her assistance in taking 911 calls during the 2025 ice storm.

“You were a steady, reassuring presence during those long, mentally and physically exhausting days,” she said. “I remember your faithfulness … you handled a thousand little and not so little things that most people will never know about, but I do.”

She also mentioned Sherwood’s role during the 2025 ice storm and recognized his commitment as lead dispatcher.

“As a 911 dispatcher, your critical work often goes unnoticed by the public,” Elkie said. “When the storm hit you stayed over at the end of your shift because of the call volume and then came back overnight … your dedication, professionalism, and compassion for our team and our community never waver.”

Finally, Elkie recognized Osmer’s role in ensuring that community resources were available when people needed them the most.

“When the need arose, you manned the overnight shift at the warming shelter, leading by example and setting the bar high,” Elkie said. “You also kept Lansing in the loop, coordinated meetings with legislators so they could hear directly from the boots on the ground to ensure our needs were effectively communicated.”

Each was given a framed letter written by Trump to honor their commitment to the community in the wake of the 2025 ice storm and Elkie read the letter out loud to those in attendance.

In the letter, Trump thanked Smith, Tomaszewski, Sherwood, and Osmer for their service to Alpena County and its residents.

“I send my sincere gratitude for your dedication and hard work through the recent ice storm in Alpena County, Michigan,” Trump said in the letter. “By putting your community first during the storm and in its aftermath, you helped keep your neighbors safe.”

“Your efforts reflect a proud sense of leadership, responsibility, and the very best of American spirit,” Trump also stated in the letter. “Your example reflects the enduring character of service that has defined our nation for 250 years and will continue to do so for many more to come.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.