Randy Yalacki

YalackiÕs appointment came during a five-minute council meeting, held Jan. 25 in the village offices. He was one of three candidates vying for the position and was appointed on a 3-1 vote, with President Pro-Tem Robert Wilcox casting the dissenting vote.

Council member Judy Eschedor was absent.

The other candidates were Yogi Jabara, a previous council member and village president and Kevin D. Mlller, an employee of Derrer Oil. Miller indicated he would seek the spot in the September elections, while Jabara did not state his intentions. All candidates were required to submit letters of interest, which were opened publically for the first time during the meeting.

Yalacki, a resident since 1991, was a current Downtown Development Authority board member until his appointment last week. He also has held seats on the Community Lighthouse board and the board of deacons for the Antrim Church of Christ.

"I would be interested in serving on this board for the following reason," Yalacki wrote in his letter of interest.

"I would like to see Mancelona become the community it is capable of becoming. I feel Mancelona is a wonderful place to live and raise children and I would like to help keep it that way. I would also like to see Mancelona become a better place to live, work and play. I feel I would be an asset to the board because of my previous board experience and my knowledge of Mancelona.:

Prior to the vote, Wilcox said he appreciated the fact so many had expressed interest in the opening, caused by the resignation of MacDonald earlier this month.

"I just have one concern and I won't ask you to respond," Wilcox said. ""I hope that you will be open-minded and not necessarily for or against a project, but listen to all of the facts and make an informed decision. That is a just a comment that I will make to all three of you and thatÕs it for me."

Council member Kathy Altrock said she had worked with all three of the applicants and found them all good men.

"They have all done a good job," she said. "I know that Yogi has been on the board before and I would like to see some new faces and some new people on the board. I know that Randy is serving on the DDA board and he has expressed some interest on this board at other times." Altrock said while Miller had served on the fire department, she felt that Yalacki would be the person for the seat, offering that as the motion.