Q and A with Mayor Rocky Gillis; statement by Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey
By Barb Pert Templeton
When the Algonac City Council directed the city manager to inform the Algonac Lions Club that the Pickeral Tournament would be moving in a new direction in 2027, it certainly sent a shock wave through the community.
The decision came about after a unanimous vote of the council at a July 7 meeting where after a closed session the council reconvened and directed City Manager Artie Bryson to inform the Lions Club of the city’s new position. Bryson did just that in letter to the Algonac Lions on July 8.
As social media exploded in defense of the Lions Club, who have hosted the Pickeral Tournament in the city for nearly nine decades, cries for an explanation were loud and insistent.
On the morning of July 10, Lions Club Board Members Brett Kodet posted a 1,500 word reply to the city’s decision stating the city was “performing a hostile takeover of the Algonac Lions Club Pickerel Tournament” and asking for continued support from the community and all other interested parties. Kodet noted that he was speaking on behalf of the Lions Club Board of Directors.
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis.
Blue Water Healthy Living sent a number of questions to all seven city council members plus some specific ones to Mayor Rocky Gillis and Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey, seeking an explanation for the turn of events.
Gillis responded via email on Saturday, July 11.
Here are his replies:
Blue Water Healthy Living: What prompted this sudden decision by the council to vote to “seek options regarding future Fourth of July activities in the city?”
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis: This was not prompted by any single incident or event. The city council has been discussing the long-term future of the Pickerel Tournament and believes it is appropriate to evaluate alternative organizational structures. The goal is to build upon the tournament’s long history of success by exploring ways to expand the event, increase community participation, and position it for continued growth in the years ahead.
BWHL: Does the city have the time, staffing and funds to become festival organizers at this point?
Gillis: The organizational structure for the 2027 tournament has not yet been finalized. As planning moves forward, the council will determine the appropriate balance between city staff, volunteers, contractors, and community organizations. The city is committed to developing a sustainable and financially responsible model before implementation, and no final staffing decisions have been made.
BWHL: Hasn’t the council been continuously concerned with the work put on its employees just based on special event permits? How could there be room for running an entire four-day festival that welcomes thousands to the city each summer?
Algonac Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey.
Gillis: Council remains mindful of staff workloads and recognizes the demands that large community events place on city resources. That is precisely why the future organizational structure has not yet been finalized. The intent is not for city employees to assume every responsibility, but to develop a collaborative model that utilizes volunteers, community organizations, contractors, and other partners to successfully organize and operate the event.
BWHL: What role does the city envision for itself related to the Pickerel Tournament going forward?
Gillis: The council envisions the city serving in a leadership and coordinating role to help grow the Pickerel Tournament into an even larger community-wide event. The vision includes expanding the tournament footprint, creating additional attractions and opportunities for participation, and involving more civic organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers. The city hopes the Algonac Lions Club will continue to play an important and meaningful role as part of that broader community partnership.
BWHL: If the Lions decide to completely bow out of this event, how will the city fill all those volunteer spots the group has selflessly given to the city over the years?
Gillis: The city sincerely hopes the Algonac Lions Club will continue participating in the Pickerel Tournament, as their decades of volunteer service and charitable work are deeply valued and appreciated. If additional volunteers are needed, the city’s vision is to broaden participation by engaging other civic organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and community volunteers. The objective is to create a larger community effort while continuing to recognize and build upon the Lions Club’s longstanding legacy of service.
Statement by Dawn Davey
“This was not prompted by any single incident or event. The city council has been discussing the long-term future of the Pickerel Tournament and believes it is appropriate to evaluate alternative organizational structures.”
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis.
Algonac’s Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey posted a statement on the issue on her Facebook page, Light Up Algonac, on Friday morning, July 10.
It read as follows:
“So, I want to toss out my thoughts, good, bad or indifferent, regarding our July 7th City Council meeting.
The regular city council meeting ended and a motion was made to enter into closed session at 6:51pm. Council returned from closed session just after 8:00pm.
This is the motion that was made by Councilman Mike Bembas after we returned-
“I make a motion that City Council gives the City Manager authority to seek options regarding future July 4th festivities and notify the Lions as such.”
After hesitating for a few seconds, I did vote yes…with two stipulations.
Now of course council is not bound by any stipulations I included in my yes vote, but I did want my points to be placed on record, which they were.
I did not vote to have the city “take over” the Algonac Lions Pickerel Tournament, I don’t believe that it is in the city’s best interest to even consider “taking it over”.
Algonac Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey.
As far as I’m concerned, we approved having the city manager “seek options regarding future July 4th festivities…”
I did not vote to have the city “take over” the Algonac Lions Pickerel Tournament, I don’t believe that it is in the city’s best interest to even consider “taking it over”.
Do I think the city should engage in looking at all possible avenues that could benefit everyone going forward? Yes.
Do I think we should toss an 88-year-old tradition out the window because we think we can do it better? Hell no.
In my opinion, at this point I think that the Lions could use a helping hand or two when it comes to an 89th Pickerel Tournament.
The Lions have some issues in their club to address, but city hall isn’t the place for it.
But either way, although some will disagree, I believe that we as a city have more pertinent issues to address right now.
I will do my very best to keep everyone updated”
