Brad Dakota will join the Baraga County Board of Commissioners. Dakota was unanimously selected by the other members last night to fill the unexpired term of Will Wiggins. Wiggins was elected to represent the second district last November. He was forced to resign after learning that his position as a federal employee precluded his participation as a local official. Dakota is a Keweenaw Bay Indian Community member, and served for many years as a Tribal judge. He was one of five applicants for the position.
Board members also appointed Phil Acciacca to the Baraga County Economic Development Board.
In other news from last night’s meeting, board members heard that this summer’s Baraga County Fair will be reduced to two days, instead of its usual three-day run. Dates have been tentatively set for August 7th and 8th. The board also endorsed several propositions that had been passed by other counties, including one supporting continued operation of the Enbridge Line Five pipeline, and several calling for continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Board members closed the evening by changing the start time for future meetings. Reacting to concerns that some citizens were having trouble getting to sessions that have traditionally started at 5:00, the decision was made to begin future meetings at 7:00.