BECKER

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee City Council appointed Jon Becker, a longtime member of the Negaunee Planning Commission, to fill a vacant council seat during its meeting Thursday.

Becker was among five candidates who had applied for the seat left vacant by the January death of Councilman Michael Van Straten.

Among the applicants were Negaunee Planning Commission member Gary Sjolund, Marquette County Planning Commission member Benjamin Banfield, former Negaunee Councilman Toby Smith and Negaunee resident Kristi Flohe, who said she works for a nonprofit organization.

Each candidate was given three minutes to address the council, after which councilmembers were given the option to ask questions.

Becker said several reasons made him the best choice to fill the open position. He cited his 10-year tenure on the planning commission, during which time city ordinances were completely revamped, as well as a history of serving on a number of nonprofit boards, and 20-plus years of grant-writing experience.

“The third reason I think I am the best candidate is the will of the people,” Becker said. “The election was not two and a half years ago. It was a mere four months ago and the voters were very clear. I received 419 of the 1,099 votes. That’s in excess of 38 percent of the voting and more votes than the other two candidates combined.”

Becker had campaigned for an opening on the council last year, though fell short of garnering the votes needed in the November general election.

Becker acknowledged that he and members of the council have disagreed on issues in the past.

“That certainly doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for common ground,” Becker said. “I feel like we are all adults and we should absolutely be able to disagree on some issues, and yet still work together for the benefit of the city.”

Mayor Don Gladwell, who made the motion to appoint Becker to the position, said he had engaged with a numer of residents about the upcoming appointment.

“I have had many conversations out in the community and I understand the other side,” Gladwell said. “But there was a vote three and a half months ago, and the voters made it very clear that the third choice would have been him if there had been three open seats at that time.”

Becker will be sworn in before the next regular council meeting in April, and will hold the position until the next regular election in November.

Two residents spoke at the meeting in support of appointing Becker to the position, one of whom was Michael Van Straten’s widow, Donna Van Straten.

“I … would like Jon Becker to take my husband’s council seat,” she said. “He was the third vote-getter and we want the best for our community.”

Councilman Van Straten was honored during the meeting and his family was presented with a plaque commemorating his years of “honest and distinguished” service to the Negaunee community.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.