16-05-2025
Cheboygan City Council picks Bedwin to temporarily fill open seat
CHEBOYGAN — The Cheboygan City Council Tuesday night turned to a familiar face to temporarily fill a council seat until a special election can be held.
Councilwoman Sierra Oliver resigned from council because she has moved out of the city. Council selected Adam Bedwin to take her place until a scheduled vote in November. Bedwin was elected to council in 2022 and served until he was defeated in last November's election, which saw David Martin, Oliver and LeRoy Ormsbee win seats on the panel.
Bedwin was chosen over the other applicant for the position, Stephen Warren, a business agent for the Fraternal Order of Police. Warren started out as a patrol officer in the Cheboygan Department of Public Safety and retired as a sergeant after 33 years.
The vote to approve Bedwin saw council members Hayley Dodd, Mayor Brett Mallory, Martin and Ormsbee support the measure while councilwoman Mary Darling was opposed. Darling's motion to approve Warren as the interim member lost with her as the only yes vote. Councilwoman Diane Mills did not attend the meeting.
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Darling and Martin praised Warren's credentials. Bedwin's candidacy was criticized by some public speakers who pointed out that he lost in an election held just six months ago. Martin acknowledged the loss but also noted that over 300 had voted for him. Mallory also said Bedwin was familiar with many of the issues facing the city, such as the proposed Cheboygan Commons development.
Bedwin, who was inspired to run for council when his basement was flooded after a heavy rainstorm, responded to the critics.
"I would say we had a very friendly campaign during the summer. It's hard being the non-local candidate. Some were upset to see me off (of council). I applied with goodwill on the request of the people around me and council saw me fit to put me here," he said. "There is an election in November and until then I will do the job to the best of my ability."
Bedwin added that he does plan to run in the November election. He has lived in the city for over six years and is employed as a negotiator for the Michigan Education Association, the public schoolteacher's union.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan City Council chooses Adam Bedwin for open seat
