Dawn Nelson was reelected chair of the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners by her fellow commissioners during an organizational meeting Monday, January 4. The commission reelected Lawrence Leveille as vice chair and voted to continue meeting the second and fourth Thursday of each month in the annex at the Mackinac County Courthouse in St. Ignace at 4 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

A list of committee and liaison appointments was later submitted to her fellow commissioners by Mrs. Nelson during a meeting Thursday, January 7.

The committees and members who serve on them are: Finance and Administration, full board; Community Action, Dawn Nelson and Larry Leveille; LMAS Health Department, Calvin McPhee and Larry Leveille; Mental Health, Mike Patrick; UPCAP, Dawn Nelson; 511 Corrections/Tether, Lawrence Leveille and Calvin McPhee; EUP Employment and Training, Carl Frazier and Calvin McPhee; H.O.M.E. Collaborative Board, Calvin McPhee; Mackinac County Planning Board, Calvin McPhee; Hospital, full board; 9-1- 1 Board, Larry Leveille and Dawn Nelson; Eastern UP Community Correction Advisory, Larry Leveille and Calvin McPhee; Tricounty Judicial Board, Larry Leveille and Calvin McPhee; Airport, Calvin McPhee and Larry Leveille; Dam Committee, Carl Frazier and Mike Patrick; Regional Planning, Dawn Nelson and Mike Patrick.

Board members who serve as liaisons for county department heads are as follows: Animal Shelter, Mike Patrick and Dawn Nelson; Animal Control Office, Larry Leveille and Carl Frazier; Airport, Calvin McPhee; Building Grounds, Carl Frazier; County Clerk, Larry Leveille; Emergency Coordinator, Dawn Nelson; 9-1-1 Coordinator, Larry Leveille; Equalization Department, Calvin McPhee; MSU Extension Office, Mike Patrick; Prosecuting Attorney Office, Calvin McPhee; Register of Deeds Office, Dawn Nelson; Treasurer's Office, Larry Leveille; Road Commission, Carl Frazier; Surveyor's Office, Mike Patrick; Sheriff's Department, Larry Leveille and Dawn Nelson; Veterans Office, Carl Frazier; Probate, District, and Circuit Court, all board members; Friend of the Court Office, Mike Patrick; Juvenile Office, Mike Patrick; Custodian's Office, Calvin McPhee.

Appointment Changes

A few appointments changed from the previous year, including Mrs. Nelson replacing Mr. McPhee as a liaison to the animal shelter and on the 9-1-1 board.

For the animal shelter, Mrs. Nelson said many calls from the public are coming in to her at home and she prefers to be the contact person.

His removal from the committee follows a surprise move by the rest of the board to oust Wendy Frosland as the county’s animal control officer after Mr. McPhee had already assured Ms. Frosland she would be rehired.

Commissioner Patrick asked Mr. McPhee if he would like to stay on as the animal shelter liaison, instead. Mr. McPhee, who has been the liaison for the last three years, said he would, but that it was the chair's decision.

"It was a decision I made," said Mrs. Nelson of the appointment. "With all the controversy we've had, if I'm going to be talked about and run through the wringer, I guess I want to hear it firsthand."

Mrs. Nelson said she thought the chairperson should be on the 9- 1-1 board. Mr. McPhee will remain the county representative on the Upper Peninsula 9-1-1 Authority.

Mrs. Nelson also removed herself from the LMAS Health Board, which she has been chairing, replacing herself with Mr. Leveille. She has initiated a Mackinac County split from the district health department, claiming the county has little say in the operation.

The next regularly scheduled board of commissioners meeting will be Thursday, January 14.