Scottville to elect mayor later this month, will honor Urbans Monday

November 3, 2012

SCOTTVILLE — Scottville’s city commission will select its mayor this month, as required by the city charter. The charter requires the commission to hold an organizational meeting on the first Monday following a November election so that it can elect a mayor and mayor pro-tem.

Unlike Ludington, which has a council and elects its mayor by vote of the people, Scottville commissioners select the mayor and mayor pro-tem from the commission.

Joe Baxter has been serving as mayor since 2010. Baxter was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident in which he drove his vehicle into the deep ravine at the east end of Second Street. That investigation remains open by the Michigan State Police. Baxter has stated he swerved to miss deer during the 8:30 a.m. accident. Mason County Press currently has a Freedom of Information Request submitted to the Michigan State Police. The state police just informed us that it has extended the request, as it may under the law, for an additional 10 days.

City Manager Amy Williams is asking the city commission to hold its organizational meeting on Monday, Nov. 12, and then hold its regular meeting immediately following instead of Nov. 19.

On Monday, Nov. 5, the city commission is expected to pass a resolution honoring John and Maisie Urban, previous owners of Johnny’s of Custer. The Urbans both passed away last month.

“Johnny was very involved with our neighboring community, the Village of Custer as he served as Village President for more than 40 years,” Williams wrote to the commission. “He and his wife also owned and operated Johnny’s for 60 or so years before just recently selling it. He was also very involved with events and organizations within the county and was well known by just about everyone. I had the pleasure of working with Johnny on a few occasions throughout my time here in Scottville as we would work with the village on some projects or help them out as needed with equipment or manpower.

“I think that it would be fitting for us to pass a Resolution of Appreciation for his family; I know this is a very rough time as his wife Massie passed away just a few days after him. Johnny and Massie will definitely be missed.”

The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at city hall, 105 N. Main Street.

Below is a link to upload the agenda and city manager notes:

Scottville City Commission Nov. 5, 2012

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