Houghton County Board Meeting Recap

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners chose Albert Koskela to serve a two-year term as board chairman at its organizational meeting Tuesday night.

Koskela, who has served previously as board chairman, will be joined by Tim Palosaari as vice-chairman. Palossari’s term is for one year.

Kim Stoker of WUPPDR gave a report on the state of Michigan’s new Regional Prosperity Initiative. Stoker cautioned that some services to counties could be lost under the new initiative.

The board passed a resolution that commissioners’ mileage reimbursement will be from the home of the board member to the meeting site.

The board made a number of appointments last night:

* Koskela was reappointed to the Mental Health Board.

* Commissioners Tony Pintar, Scott Ala and Gene Londo were picked to the District Health Board.

* Robert Loukus was tabbed for the Planning Commission.

*Tom Tikkanen and John Haeussler were picked for the Land Bank Authority.