St. Ignace City Manager Gary Heckman (middle) attended his last city meeting as manager Monday, December 19. He received a proclamation from Mayor Pro Tempore Don Gustafson (left) and city attorney Prentiss M. Brown (right) for his 29 years of service to the city. Police staffing may need to be adjusted soon as Officer Ryan Diehl may be deployed to Iraq to train new Iraqi police officers.

The St. Ignace City Council, at its regular meeting Monday, December 19, tabled discussion on finding a replacement for Mr. Diehl during his year-long absence until he knows whether he will be called to duty. He is undergoing training in a special military program that allows municipal police to help the U.S. military train new Iraqi government and security forces. If he goes to Iraq, it will be toward the end of January, he believes.

Mayor Pro Tempore Don Gustafson, at a public safety committee meeting Monday, December 12, said he does not want the city to be liable for unemployment costs for a temporary replacement during Mr. Diehl’s absence. He said the police union contract says a temporary employee cannot work more than 105 days a year.

Ryan Diehl Councilman Paul Grondin said he would like to keep the police staff to a minimum of six officers, including the police chief.

Mr. Diehl can return to the department after one year, however, his pay and benefits will be frozen during his absence.

Police Chief Tim Matelski told the committee that Officer Bruce Bigger Sr. is planning to retire in July, which could allow the temporary officer filling in for Mr. Diehl to be added to the staff permanently.

St. Ignace’s ORV

Season Extended

Seasonal use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in the City of St. Ignace has been extended another month into the fall and ORV users can now drive on city streets after dusk. Council adopted changes to its ORV ordinance December 19 to allow local ORV groups to attract and retain tourists.

The ORV season in St. Ignace begins April 15 and now ends at the end of November, instead of the end of October. ORV users can operate their vehicles at night if properly equipped with headlights and taillights.

ORVs are allowed to be used during the winter months, however, only for plowing driveways.

The Sportsmen’s Off-Road Vehicle Association, led by Steve DuFresne of St. Ignace, is working to establish ORV use in St. Ignace to promote fall tourism, offering poker runs and recreational driving, similar to how snowmobiling is promoted in the area. Extending the ORV season and allowing nighttime use will allow more opportunities for tourism growth, said Mr. DuFresne, who said the ORV recreational sport is growing.

The ORV association is hoping to connect to Hiawatha National Forest’s network of trails from Trout Lake to Hessel, soon to be completed .

Heckman Says Good-bye

City Manager Gary “Pete” Heckman thanked the community and Council after he announced Monday’s meeting was his last as city manager. He received a proclamation from Mayor Pro Tempore Don Gustafson for his 29 years of service.

“Thank you all for bearing with me and me bearing with you,” he said at the meeting.

City attorney Prentiss M. Brown, Jr. praised Mr. Heckman’s dedication and professional attitude throughout his years of service.

“Pete is an example of a good city manager,” said Mr. Brown. “He was easy to deal with, he always had a smile, and he was never a bragger or a boaster. We’re going to miss him. It was a privilege and honor to work with him.”

Eric Dodson, a 1991 LaSalle High School graduate, has been hired as the city’s new manager and will begin work Tuesday, January 3. Mr. Heckman will continue to train Mr. Dodson and act as an unofficial advisor while Mr. Dodson adjusts to the new job.

City’s 2006 Budget Approved

Council adopted the city’s 2006 budget after holding a brief hearing for public comment just before the regular meeting Monday evening. There was no discussion during the hearing.

The 2006 general fund budget is for $2,116,860, up from $2,037,000 this year. The city collects $1,346,000 from property taxes, levying 16.26 mills on a taxable value of $82,779,830. Approximately $1,120,000 of the levy is placed in the city’s general fund, $152,680 goes to the Downtown Development Authority, and $73,400 funds the city’s recreation program.

Nostalgia Productions

Agreement Postponed

Council postponed any action to remove language from an agreement with Nostalgia Productions that allows the city to review Ed Reavie’s events budgets. Council members say they want to be able to request a budget from Mr. Reavie, even though the city no longer contributes money to his company, Nostalgia Productions, which produces the St. Ignace Auto Show, Truck Show, and On The Waterfront antique automobile show.

Mr. Reavie is asking that the clause be removed from the agreement. Mr. Gustafson said the issue was not brought up at the city’s Special Events Committee meeting two months ago. And, while the city only contributes inkind services, he said asking for a budget report is an option the city would like to keep.

Because Mr. Reavie did not attend the meeting and could not elaborate on his request to remove the accounting language from the agreement, the discussion was tabled. Fire Department Receives

Ice Rescue Suits

Council was informed that two ice rescue suits were donated to the fire department by U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Ignace. Coast Guard rescue technicians will train firefighters in their use for near-shore ice rescues.

City Committee Appointments

Councilman Tom DellaMoretta, the board’s newest member, was appointed by Mr. Gustafson to take former Councilman Ollie Boynton’s place on the Real Estate Committee. Mr. Boynton was also on several other city committees, however, Mr. Gustafson said he will leave those appointments for the new mayor, to be elected in February.

Council also agreed to reappoint Margaret Peacock to the St. Ignace Library Board and appointed former mayor Bruce Dodson to the St. Ignace Harbor Authority as a citizen-at-large member.

City committee terms are for five years.