PETOSKEY — Different delegates and representatives from Petoskey’s four wards met to discuss what names will be on the ballot this November, as well as what concerns they see facing the city during the annual city convention.
The convention kicked off at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 at Petoskey City Hall. More than 40 people were in the room representing the different wards. The main purpose of the convention is to introduce the candidates for open city council seats and to give representatives the opportunity to share concerns related to their wards and the city as a whole.
In November, three seats on the Petoskey City council will be up for grabs, serving wards 2-4.
Charlie Willmott and Dan Smith were selected by delegates to serve as the candidates for Ward 2, the seat Derek Shiels currently fills. The open seat is for a three-year term, serving 2026-2028.
Current Ward 3 representative Joseph T. Nachtrab will be running unopposed to complete a partial term. Nachtrab was appointed to city council in January after Brian Wagner resigned. The term runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
Lindsey Walker, the current Ward 4 representative, is running unopposed to continue serving for another 3-year term. Walker has held the position since 2018.
Another election will be held in November 2026 for three-year terms to fill the Ward 1 and Ward 3 seats. Tina DeMoore is the current Ward 1 representative on council.
In addition to naming the candidates for city council, the different ward representatives spoke about concerns facing the city, including vacancies in downtown buildings, some of which are falling into disrepair. Mayor John Murphy and city manager Shane Horn spoke about different processes the city is going through to try to help address the concerns, including a new ordinance that could fine property owners that don’t take care of their property.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Candidates selected for November election during Petoskey City Convention
Reporting by Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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