Sault DDA sees multiple staffing changes
SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault Ste. Marie DDA has undergone several board member changes in the month of June.
Five people were appointed or reappointed to the DDA board by the city commission and one person resigned during the city commission meetings of June 6 and June 20. The DDA needed to fill the new positions after the board seats became vacant when several board members' terms naturally expired after four years.
During the city commission meeting on June 6, the commission unanimously voted in Allison Youngs and Zack McCellan to the board, with terms set to expire on April 1, 2025.
Youngs is a downtown resident and has served as a board member of the DDA for one term in the past and reapplied because she said she wants to see the downtown grow and thrive.
McCellan has a history serving on a DDA, but not in Sault Ste. Marie. McCellan grew up in the Soo but also previously lived in Frankenmuth, where he was a part of the Frankenmuth DDA for five years and a member of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce for eight years.
"I am incredibly passionate about always looking at ways to improve and would love the opportunity to learn and hopefully make great decisions with the DDA in Sault Ste. Marie," McCellan said in his application to the DDA.
During the city commission meeting of June 20, two new members were hired to the board and one member resigned before the end of her term.
Treasurer of the Chippewa County Community Foundation Debbie Jones recently finished her term on the DDA board and was appointed for another ending on April 1, 2026.
Jessica Johnson, who has has no previous experience in local government, was also appointed, with a term ending on April 1, 2026.
Raymond Bell, the owner of downtown gift shop Das Gift Haus, was appointed to his third term on the DDA board, set to expire on April 1, 2025.
During the same meeting, the city commission also accepted the early resignation of DDA board member Cathy Howell, who served on the board for 21 months and left for personal reasons.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity to work closely with board members, fellow business owners and city personnel for the past 21 months. At this time, I feel that it is in my best interest to focus on my family and business opportunities," said Howell in her resignation letter.
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The board consists of at least eight or more than 12 members approved by the city commission. One board position must be held by city manager Brian Chapman, one board position must be held by a downtown resident, and the majority of board members must have an interest in property located in the downtown district. All members serve four year terms.
The DDA is still conducting a search for the position of director after the previous director Tony Cutler was terminated from the position following his arrest on May 10. There is still one vacant position on the board besides the director that needs to be filled to bring the number of regular board members to eight. The board is always accepting applications when there is less than 12 board members.
Applications can be submitted to rtroyer@saultcity.com.
Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault city commission appoints multiple new members to DDA
