IRONWOOD - What may have been a
mundane meeting last night may have turned into a confrontation
between taxpayers and Ironwood City Commissioner Rick Semo.
In the final hours of the
Commission meeting, Ross Kolesar, pictured above, addressed
the Commission about destruction of city land known as the “Caves
Area”. Ross Kolesar a member and spokesperson for the Gogebic Range Trail
Authority, provided numerous photographs to the City Commissioners
that showed trees being cut down, barb wire being cut, and bridges
being built over what might be protected wetlands.
Just as the Commissioners were
recovering from the shock of seeing the photos of the destruction,
controversial City Commissioner, Rick Semo, confessed to doing the
damage. He did so after Kolesar pointed the finger at the Friends of
the Miners Memorial Park as being responsible for the damage. The
trees and other wildlife are protected from vandalism by City
Ordinance, Section 34-192. Semo seemed unaware that he had just
admitted to vandalizing city property.
Slow to respond, Ironwood Mayor
Robert Burchell finally suggested that the matter be sent to the
Planning Commission. One would have to ask why? The Planning
Commission is not a law enforcement agency.
“Vandalism of city property is a matter for the police to handle” stated
one taxpayer. The Wetlands violations should be turned over to the
MDNRE stated another taxpayer. Two City Commissioners, Mayor
Burchell and fellow Commissioner Gemma Lamb are facing possible
recall for their part in using city money, city workers and city
equipment for the Sisu Skifest. The State police are looking onto
those allegations as well. Burchell has admitted responsibility for
the Sisu boondoggle. Rick Semo himself, stated that he too should be
recalled for his part in the misappropriation of city money,
manpower and equipment. At that time Semo also seemed as if he he
was unaware of the fact that he had confessed to violating city and
state laws.
Quick to respond to Semo’s
confession was George Goerig, he demanded that Semo resign. Mayor
Bob Burchell ignored Goerig’s remarks. The Mayor and his wife
Annette Burchell are members and activists in the Miner’s Memorial
Park. She is also a member of Ironwood's infamous Parks and
Recreation Committee.
The exchange beween Semo and
taxpayers was recorded on
video by IronwoodInfo.
