BESSEMER - Last evening the Bessemer City Council selected Doug Olsen to fill the unexpired term of Pete Matonich.

Matonich resigned his position as Bessemer Councilman after being selected as Gogebic County Sheriff.

At Monday night's meeting the Council narrowed their search to four excellent applicants;  Allen Archie, Glen Pavlovich, Paul Semmerling  and Olsen.

The Council moved quickly last night to select Olsen who immediately took the oath of office.

Olsen is a forty year resident of Bessemer and has served on the City Council previously, including the position of Mayor.

Olsen in his application to fill the unexpired term of Pete Matonich that his immediate goals be the completing the existing projects started by the current Council; badly needed repairs to streets and infrastructure components, keep equipment maintained and upgraded when necessary, ensure harmonious labor environment for our employees, seeking ways to make Bessemer more attractive to both businesses and individuals, help the citizens of the City in any way possible, working with the surrounding communities to promote the Gogebic Range, procure as much external funding for our projects as possible and work toward keeping the city financially solvent.
 
Olsen worked at Gogebic Community College as a Biology instructor from 1969 until he retired in 2002. He has served on the Bessemer City Council as a Councilman and as the City's Mayor. He has also been a member of the Downtown Development Authority, a member of the GRWA and the Chairman of the Bessemer Sewer Authority. Olsen also has had extensive experience with labor negotiations.

Videos of Olsen's Interview