Dawn Davey named mayor pro tem
By Barb Pert Templeton
During public comments at a recent organizational meeting for the Algonac City Council a trio of residents stepped up to encourage officials to give Mayor Rocky Gillis another two-year term in the mayor’s seat for the city.
“I don’t know if you feel it in the air but something in Algonac is changing, there’s electricity in the air, people are more upbeat and I think Rocky had a part of it,” Algonac resident Dwayne Hrynyk said. “Rocky is the only one I see that had his hair shaved by angry wrestling midgets to raise money for charity and he and Artie (Bryson) jumped in the canal at Snoopy’s when it was 22 below zero and they swam a couple laps in the river just to raise money.”
“I think Rocky deserves two more years, he’s earned it and I’ve never met anyone else in Algonac who loves Algonac and loves the people of Algonac as much as Rocky and I think Rocky needs to be mayor for two more years to keep the momentum going in Algonac,” he added.
Officials at the Nov. 11 special organizational meeting then took nominations for mayor and mayor pro tem. Changes at the table following the Nov. 5 election included incumbent council members Michael Bembas and Cathy Harris retaining their seats, while incumbent and Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Martin was defeated and two new council members, Jake Skarbek and Wendy Meldrum, took their places at the table.
Algonac Councilwoman Dawn Davey was appointed as the mayor pro tem, a post she will serve for the next two years.
Skarbek nominated Mayor Rocky Gillis to another two-year term and he was seconded by Councilman Ed Carter. Gillis was the only one nominated and the council proceeded to unanimously approve his place in the city’s top spot for another two years. The term will expire on Nov. 9, 2026.
Councilwoman Cathy Harris then nominated Councilwoman Dawn Davey as Mayor Pro Tem and it was seconded my Councilman Michael Bembas. Councilman Jake Skarbek then nominated Councilman Michael Bembas as Mayor Pro Tem but Bembas respectively declined the nomination.
“Mr. Skarbek I appreciate your support in that but at this point I would ask that I not be considered, only because my life has had many personal changes over the last year and I know personally I couldn’t devote that kind of commitment,” Bembas said. “Ms. Davey is much better with the details on these things then me but I do appreciate it.”
The council then unanimously approved Davey as the new Mayor Pro Tem.
Council rules and protocols
City Manager Denice Gerstenberg opened the meeting with a presentation about organization and how the city council meetings operate.
Algonac City Manager Denice Gerstenberg filled the council in on the rules and protocols of serving at the council table during a recent organizational meeting.
“As you know we put together this presentation for every organizational meeting and I do tweak it every year based on things that I learn the previous year,” Gerstenberg said.
The slide show began by sharing information about meetings and how important it is to make sure they are effective and productive.
“City council provides political leadership, the city manager provides managerial experience and we have had this type of government here since 1974,” Gerstenberg explained, adding that each term last four years and they are staggered every two years.
She said the council acts as a one entity, no member has more power than another. The role of the council is to adopt rules and objectives, handle the city budget, hire the city attorney and provide city leadership, to name a few.
For what qualities make a good council member Gerstenberg read a list that included things like honesty and action to all issues, represents all the people, able to discuss both sides of an issue, reading all the materials provided by the clerk and city manager and being able to discuss, debate and disagree without fighting.
She said all city council members will receive the same information, special document requests by one member will be distributed to all members. Communication between the city council members and the city staff follows a chain of command from the council to the city manager to the staff member.
“If the media contacts you, please contact the city manager, be very careful about phone conversations, ask for question in writing, the media is not your friend they are always looking to get you,” Gerstenberg said. “It’s highly recommended that you respond in writing rather than have phone conversations with them for your own protection.”
Meetings are formal affairs so dress appropriately and proper titles should always be used when addressing members, Gerstenberg said.
For council members who wish to speak at a meeting Gerstenberg explained that the Algonac City Council has a specific format. The protocol states that everyone must be recognized in order to speak and council members can’t address questions to Gerstenberg until the mayor recognizes her.
“Do not speak unless you’ve been granted the floor by the mayor,” Gerstenberg said. “If the council member wishes to ask the city manager a question the city manager must be recognized by the mayor.”
As for behavior while at the council table, Gerstenberg reminded officials not to speak or mumble under their breath because their microphone can pick it up. Also, don’t engage with the audience by waving or addressing them during meetings, when you vote your voice should be neutral not reflecting how you feel about the vote and keep cell phones away from the microphone because they cause static.
As to social media posts by officials Gerstenberg said be careful because anything they post may be interpreted as an official city post. Officials should limit friending and liking on social media and remember their account may be considered a public record. Council members should also maintain separate accounts one personal and one as an official.
The Algonac City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. For more information about city matters visit their website at cityofalgonac.org.
