Alcona County Commission on Aging President Phil Potter and Board Member Pam McKinnon resigned from the board due to personal reasons during the organization’s meeting in late July.
The two resigned before the ACCOA’s annual election. The terms for ACCOA Treasurer Robert Turek, board member Ty Damon and board member Kelly VonFintel end this September, which means there will be five spots open on the ACCOA.
The three members will announce whether they will run for reelection during the commission’s August meeting.
“There are not only the three additional seats that are always up every year, but now people will know there are additional seats open,” Turek said during the July meeting.
Potter served on the board for the past two years, helping oversee the final development on the ACCOA’s $13 million community center. He wrote a letter to the board three days prior to the meeting, announcing his decision to step down.
“It's been a great honor to serve this organization, support its mission to enrich the lives of older adults in our community,” Potter wrote. “I am proud of the work we've accomplished together, strengthening programs, supporting staff, and expanding our reach along the development of a new center.”
McKinnon also served on the board for two years. Turek praised her for her work over the years and wished her the best.
“One of the best things about Pam is you always knew what she was thinking, and she would say it,” Turek said. “That’s an extremely valuable thing to have on a board.”
ACCOA Executive Director Wendy Bain said that since the terms for Potter and McKinnon were not done until next year, the board will have until fall of 2026 to fill those positions.
For Turek, Damon, and VonFintel, the status of their position will be decided by the end of this September
The ACCOA holds its meeting at 10 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month. More information about the board can be found at www.alconaseniors.org/board.
This story was produced by the Michigan News Group Internship Program, a collaboration between WCMU Public Media and local newspapers in central and northern Michigan. The program’s mission is to train the next generation of journalists and combat the rise of rural news deserts.
