Cheboygan council selects Brandau to fill vacant seat until special election
Brandau replaces Diane Mills, who resigned in July after moving out of the city. He will occupy the seat until a special election occurs in November.
"I have already filled out the paperwork (for the election)," said Brandau.
More: Mills ends council tenure as Cheboygan seeks interested applicants for open seat
Brandau said he was born and raised in Cheboygan.
"I saw that the city was starting to go in a positive direction. Some things could be done a little different and instead of sitting on the sidelines and waiting for someone else to do it, I decided to apply," he said.
Brandau said the condition of the roads and the sewer system are challenges for the city.
"Keep businesses coming in, but the big one is the mill. It is just an eyesore and something needs to be done about that. It is one of the biggest problems that needs to be addressed," he added.
Brandau is referring to the paper mill on Main Street formerly known as Tissue Depot and Great Lakes Tissue. The facility has been closed since a 2023 fire destroyed a warehouse located across the street.
Council also selected Adam Bedwin to serve as mayor pro tem to replace Mills. Bedwin was elected to council in 2022 and served until he was defeated in last November's election. In May, he was appointed to fill out the term of councilwoman Sierra Oliver, who also resigned. He also plans to run in the November election.
More: Mills' resignation will mean two Cheboygan council seats at stake in special election
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Finally, council approved a new three-year contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union representing city employees in the department of public works, office staff in city hall, and workers in the sewer and water departments.
City manager Dan Sabolsky said the contract calls for a pay raise of 3.5% in the first year and 3.25% in the next two years.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan City Council selects Brian Brandau to fill vacant seat
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