IONIA — Ionia City Council said goodbye to three members Wednesday, Dec. 6, including the city’s mayor of more than 30 years.
Ionia Mayor Dan Balice presided over his final council meeting Wednesday at Ionia City Hall. Balice decided to not seek re-election after serving for 33 years. Deputy Mayor John Milewski II will take over in 2024.
Wednesday also marked the final council meeting for First Ward Councilmember Ryan Videtich and Fourth Ward Councilmember Janice Gustafson. Videtich, appointed to the council in January, was unseated by write-in candidate Margot Cook in November. Gustafson decided to step down after serving on council for 10 years.
Balice was honored by the council and community with a reception prior to the meeting. Balice received tributes and proclamations from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters; Michigan Sen. Rick Outman; former Lt. Gov. Brian Calley; and the city of Ionia. Balice was also gifted a memory book. The city will install a park bench in his honor.
More:‘The greatest privilege of my life’: Dan Balice says goodbye as Ionia’s mayor
Balice became emotional several times when addressing attendees of the reception. He thanked his wife, Janet, and his family, plus city administration, department heads, council and the community. He told the crowd to try their best to be a positive influence and support where they live.
“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful ride,” he said.
Balice adjourned the meeting using his father’s gavel. C. Anthony Balice was mayor for much of the 1950s.
“On behalf of my family, I thank you,” Balice said. “This has been really, really fun.”
Gustafson is retiring from her job at Independent Bank, where she’s worked since 1981. She decided it was also time to retire from local government.
“It’s been a great opportunity — I’ve enjoyed it,” Gustafson said. “I’ll miss you guys. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you all.”
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Videtich was appointed to Ionia City Council in January after longtime Councilmember Gordon Kelley was elected to the Ionia County Board of Commissioners. Cook was elected to Videtich’s seat as a write-in candidate in November. Videtich thanked the council for the opportunity and welcomed Cook.
“(I’m) sad to go, but at the same time Margot is going to be fantastic coming in with a good vision and wanting to make a change,” Videtich said. “To be unseated by someone like Margot — I couldn’t ask for anything better than that, truly. To have someone else who wants to come into this community and want to make a change is all you can really ask for.”
Dawn Ketchum and Brenda Cowling will also join Ionia City Council in 2024. The council will be as follows:
- Mayor: John Milewski II
- First Ward: Tim Lee and Margot Cook
- Second Ward: Rich Starr and Tom Millard
- Third Ward: Jeff Winters and Dawn Ketchum
- Fourth Ward: Troy Waterman and Brenda Cowling
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.
