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Macomb Alderman Resigns

Rich Egger

The city will be without a first ward alderman for a while.

Ryan Hansen announced during Monday night’s city council meeting he is stepping down so he can make a bid to manage Spring Lake Park.

“It’s not something I decided lightly,” Hansen said. “I gave it a lot of thought and talked to pretty much everybody that has anything to do with Spring Lake to get a better picture.”

The park is owned by the city and managed by the Macomb Park District, but the park district told the city it will need to be paid more money to continue.  The city is now seeking proposals from firms or individuals interested in managing and maintaining the site.

Hansen’s seat will remain vacant until Mayor Mike Inman appoints a successor. His selection must be approved by the city council.

That person will serve through the end of April, 2015. Voters in early April will elect someone to serve the remainder of Hansen’s term.

Credit Rich Egger
Ryan Hansen after Monday night's meeting. The city has 60 days to choose his successor.

Hansen is about a year-and-a-half years into his second four-year term on the council.

“I did have a little bit of hesitation (about resigning) just because I made a promise to the people of the first ward to represent them for four years, but I can rationalize that in my own head -- I’m serving in a different way now,” Hansen said.

Hansen declined to comment on what qualifications he would bring to Spring Lake. He said those details will be included in the proposal he submits to the city.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.