City moves toward restoring city clerk position

ISHPEMING — Two years ago, the City of Ishpeming consolidated the positions of city manager and city clerk in an effort to save money. Now, they’re working their way back to differentiating the jobs once again.

The city has taken applications for an additional part-time assistant clerk, with hopes that either the new hire or the existing assistant or deputy clerks would eventually fulfill a part-time city clerk position. Councilwoman Claudia Demarest made a motion at today’s City Council meeting to advertise specifically for the city clerk position.

“We are supposed to be an equal opportunity employment agency,” said Demarest. “If you don’t advertise the position, we are not giving equal opportunity for the other people who applied for the part-time city clerk position.”

“It’s up to the manager to decide on who is going to be the part-time clerk and who is to be the part-time assistant clerk,” said Mayor Mike Tonkin.

Demarest’s motion received no support. Ultimately, the council passed a new motion authorizing City Manager Mark Slown to hire a city clerk and an assistant clerk.

With election season fast approaching, whomever ends up filling the clerk’s shoes will likely have busy days ahead, as elections are some of the bigger functions of the job.