PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The 30th Portage City Council got down to business for the first time last night, as they swore in new members, said goodbye to departing members and picked leadership. Voters elected Jihan Young and Nicole Miller to fill two vacant seats. Both thanked voters for putting their trust in them.
Voters also reelected Chris Burns and Jim Pearson to new four-year terms. Last night the council reelected Pearson to serve another year as mayor pro-tem. The council also said goodbye to member Lori Knapp who chose not to run for reelection.
They also thanked Mike Quinn for filling a short vacancy left by the resignation of Lisa Brayton who was charged with violating the city’s residency policy. Quinn left them laughing with a little Latin.
Quinn got a plaque suitable for hanging. Knapp also got a Portage city flag that has flown over City Hall for the last month. One of the new council’s first items of business was to update their ethics policy to clarify exactly what it means to be an eligible resident running for city council. The council will dive right in, holding their annual goal setting session at the Senior Center to set priorities for the New Year. It begins Thursday at 9 am and is open to the public.
