Former mayor appointed to Scottville commission seat.

Bruce Krieger

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SCOTTVILLE — What comes around, goes around. Bruce Krieger, a former mayor, is the newest city commissioner, appointed Monday during the commission’s regular meeting by a 4-2 vote. Krieger served the city commission for seven years from 1971 to 1978. He replaces Don Pasco, who resigned last month after serving on the commission for three months.

Four people initially applied to be considered for appointment to the at-large seat. One of the applicants was an Amber Township resident, City Manager Amy Williams said. While he showed enthusiasm and great interest, only residents are allowed to be on city commission. The other three applicants Krieger, Sally Cole and Bruce Claveau. Claveau withdrew his request earlier in the day stating that he believed both Krieger and Cole would be good commissioners.

The city commission has 30 days to replace a resigning commissioner or else the city must hold a special election, which can cost thousands of dollars. While the commissioners could have waited the next commission meeting, Oct. 19, a motion was made and supported to appoint Krieger to the vacant position. The motion passed.

“I think I can add something to the commission,” Krieger said when asked by one of the commissioners why he wanted to be appointed. “I have been here a long time and I have served on the commission.”

Krieger taught business and accounting classes at Mason County Central High School for 35 years, retiring in 2000, he said.

“I was an accounting major so I know something about record keeping.

“I have been involved with the community for a number of years. I was involved with the Main Street program and I do a lot of volunteer work around the city.

“I would like to see the city progress. I would like to see us clean up some of the things we are working on. I want to make it possible for people who drive through the city to say, ‘wow, that is a great looking little town.’”

Hahn asked both Krieger and Cole what they about how well the city is being managed by both the commission and the city manager.

“That’s a tough question,” Krieger said. “I think the city is being managed adequately. As far as the commission, I really don’t know. I talk to (City Manager) Amy (Williams) frequently and I know what she does. I haven’t been able to be at that many commission meetings. I would hope the city commission is doing what it can.”

Cole said she believed the city manager does “an exceptional job for all that she handles. I have been learning about the commission and I feel it is trying very hard to become more involved and be progressive with its goals.”

“I chose to run because I care about the city and its growth,” Cole said. Cole and her husband, Jerry, own Cole’s Antique Villa. They operated the business in Ludington for 28 years before moving it to Scottville in May 2014.

“When we were in Ludington, all we did was run our business. Here, we feel so much a part of the community.”

Cole serves on the planning commission and downtown development authority board. She also led the west parking lot beautification project this year and led the effort to get more events to the 100 block of North Main Street, where her business is located.

Krieger said there are four goals he would like to accomplish as a commissioner.

“I would like to change the time of the meetings to evenings. I would like the city office to be open five days a week. I would like the city to continue to improve upon cleaning the blight in the city and I would like to work on making our downtown more vibrant.”

Following the vote, Cole said she was happy to see Krieger be appointed to the position and she will continue to serve the city.