Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report and took the photos.
On Monday, May 10, 2021, before a small, but very appreciative audience, City of Morrison, IL, Mayor Everett Pannier passed the Mayoral gavel to newly-elected Scott Vandermyde.
Before exiting his position, Mayor Pannier expressed how privileged he felt, to have served as Mayor of Morrison for eight years. He thanked the “great Council people that served” and noted that the future was in good hands.
A special thanks was offered to City workers, office staff, and Chief Melton of the Morrison Police Department. Pannier expressed his appreciation for the contributions of City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen. Pannier felt that none of the City’s progress would have been accomplished without Dykhuizen’s leadership.
Judge Stanley Steines swore in the new Mayor, Scott Vandermyde. His first action was to order the swearing in of three Aldermen–Kevin Bruckner, Jr., Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema–by Judge Steines. The Mayor then presented plagues of Appreciation for Service to retiring Alderman Dale Eisenga and retiring Mayor Everett Pannier. The departing Mayor was thanked “for his dedicated service as Mayor May 2013-April 2021.”
Appointments of supporting Offices followed as Tim Zollinger (Ward Murray Pace & Johnson) was appointed Legal Counsel for the City; Maggie Jones as City Treasurer; Michael Hemmer as City Clerk. Mayor Vandermyde then accepted the resignation of Councilman Ken Mahaffey, dated effective April 30, 2021.
Due to the lack of a voting majority of Council members present, Agenda items requiring action were tabled.