There will be at least two new city commissioner in Boyne City this November, because Laura Sansom and Gene Towne will not be running for reelection. Ron Grunch, an 18-year veteran on the commission, says he will be running again.
Towne announced on March 17th that he would not seek reelection. "Good morning everyone, I have decided not to run for re-election for city commission. I think it's time to step aside. There are a lot of good qualified people with new fresh ideas that will come forward. I'm confident the city will be in good hands. The City has a lot of great volunteers, I have enjoyed working with everyone and seeing projects done from start to finish. This was a hard decision to make."
Earlier that week, Sansom also said it was a difficult decision for her to not seek a third term. "I've thoroughly enjoyed serving on the commission, but I think will be good to get new people involved. There are lots of good people in the community who would make good city commissioners." Sansom feels the city is well managed, and she is proud that the community will finally be getting a new city hall with fire, police and ambulance services under the same roof. "I wish the federal government was as well run as Boyne City. We aren't political, we just do what's good for our residents. I'm not going to disappear. I will still be involved with the Historical Commission and my passion right now is to help us get a really great museum in the new city hall."
Grunch, the only commissioner running for reelection, said: "My motivation is to 'keep the dream alive.' We have a great team working for you - city staff and management, City Commission, Team Boyne, and the greatest group of volunteers in Northern Michigan. Boyne City has a great business model. And I would like to, God willing, continue as a member."
The deadline for submitting nominating petitions to the City Clerk is 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. Petitions must have the signatures of not less than 20 or more than 40 registered voters of the city. If there are more than six candidates running for the three open positions, there will be a primary election on August 8 to narrow the field to six before the Nov. 7 general election. The salary is $2,500 per year for commissioners and $3,000 for the mayor. For more information or petition forms, contact the Clerk's office at 231-582-6597 or email cgrice@boynecity.com.
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