Cheboygan County board begins budget review, presents awards

CHEBOYGAN — The Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners began to review the proposed 2025 budget on Tuesday.

Commissioners also approved budget requests for senior citizen centers operated by the Cheboygan Council on Aging and the Wawatam Area Senior Citizens.

Commissioners signed off on a $610,000 appropriation for the Cheboygan Council on Aging to manage the Cheboygan Senior Center on Sand Road and the Wolverine Senior Center on Wolverine Road.

Commissioners also agreed to a $75,000 contribution to the the Wawatam Area Senior Center in Mackinaw City, which serves seniors in Emmet and Cheboygan counties. That center also receives funding from Emmet County. The appropriation to the Wawatam center is to help cover the expenses for the Cheboygan County seniors who use it.

A certificate of appreciation was also presented to Pat Bolen for his service to county veterans and for serving on the Cheboygan County Veterans Memorial Park Committee and the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee.

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More: SUV crash near Mackinaw City leads to fire, dog death, injuries

Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook presented Citizen Lifesaving Awards to Gary Bassett of Clarkston and St. Ignace and Alex Fera of Rockford for their response in helping a trapped motorist escape from a burning car on Aug. 5.

Duane and Judith Goltz of Drummond Island were driving on the U.S. 31 northbound ramp at I-75 when their vehicle struck a tree and went into a ditch. Judith was able to crawl out of the vehicle but Duane couldn't get out because his back was injured in the incident. Bassett stopped to help when he noticed flames coming from the vehicle.

Fera also noticed the flames and stopped to assist Bassett in helping Duane to get out.

"Their quick thinking and selfless response probably helped to save Duane's life," said Cook.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com .

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan County board begins budget review, presents awards