By Gary W. Meyer, Editor
WITH MAYOR RAEANNE DANIELOWSKI presiding, eight new members of the Big Lake Fire Dept. took their oath of office Wednesday. They included (from left) Travis Allen, Eric burleigh, Moshua Matich, Eric Rosa, Jason Ross, Eric Sanders, Lee Schroeder and Josh Severs. The firefighter candidates were also introduced to the Big Lake Twp. Board Wednesday. (Photos by Gary W. Meyer)
DENISE MCDOWALL-SEYKO was recognized as Big Lake Volunteer of the Month Wednesday. She is pictured with her parents, Pat and Bob. Seyko has been involved in supporting Spud Fest over recent years; the celebration was initiated by her father and fellow Big Lake Lions in 1972.
With City Hall filled with friends and family looking on, eight young men took the firefighter code oath of allegiance to the Big Lake Fire Dept. Wednesday night. The eight men recently completed background testing, physicals and initial training to become members of the department. Fire Chief Paul Nemes, in introducing them, announced they would begin two-night-a-week firefighter training that will last into March. New firefighters include Travis Allen, Eric Burleigh, Joshua Matich, Eric Rosa, Jason Ross, Eric Sanders, Lee Schroeder and Josh Severs.
They were administered their oaths by Mayor Raeanne Danielowski. “Thank you for stepping up to this, and to your families for their support,” she said. The department normally has a 35-person firefighting corps, but it has been depleted by some resignations in recent months.
Volunteer of the Month
Denise McDowall Seyko, native Big Laker and longtime volunteer to the community, was recognized Wednesday as Volunteer of the Month. She has been instrumental in helping to plan for city parks and trails and has been an active member of the parks advisory board since it was established in 2002. She has served as a Big Lake Spud Fest board member, carrying on the tradition started by her father, Bob, over 40 years ago. She is a past board member and president of the Big Lake Food Shelf and is helping to organize the Oct. 14, 9th Annual Bicycle Run benefiting the food shelf and Alzheimer Organization. She is also a member of Big Lake Community education board. Her daughter, Natalie, was a 2016-17 Big Lake Ambassador.
Personnel Actions
The council attended to several personnel actions Wednesday. They:
* Recognized Police Chief Joel Scharf and Julie Rathmanner, finance department employee, for five years of service;
* Accepted the resignation of Janae Stern as chair of the parks committee, and appointed McDowall-Seyko to her position;
* Acknowledged Greg Zurbey’s completion of a probationary period and moved he go to permanent status as manager of Lake Liquors;
* Approved ay application by PC Pyrotechnics LLC for a fireworks display after the BLHS Homecoming game Oct. 6.
The city also recognized the Eddy Family Foundation for a $4,000 contribution to the Big Lake Canine Program. Funds will go toward financing the canine car.
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