Heavy Equipment Operator Tyler Oja has resigned to return to the Soo where he will work in a similar position. Tyler’s last day in his position was Feb. 18th. Tyler had been with the City just over a year in the Department of Public Works.

Fire Department Engineer Dan Pruner’s last day with the City of Marquette was February 25th after
25 years of service. Dan was hired in February of 1997 as a Firefighter after having served our country
in the U.S. Army and graduating from LSSU with an associate degree in Fire Science. Dan came to
the City with experience as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical care for Mercy Ambulance
Service in Calumet. Dan was promoted to Relief Engineer in 2003 and again to Engineer in 2009.
Thank you for your service, Dan!

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Tom Florek has announced his retirement effective March
11th. Tom started with the City of Marquette as a Meter Service Technician in July of 2003, the
position he held until successfully posting to Heavy Equipment Operator in the Water division
in 2006. Tom was promoted to Purchasing & Supply Technician in June of 2010 and served in
that role until his promotion to Supervisor- Sewer Maintenance in December of 2014. He then
successfully posted to Supervisor- Facilities Maintenance in February of 2015 and has served
in this capacity since. Over the years, Tom has maintained and obtained several beneficial
certifications and licenses and served the Marquette community volunteering his time for things
like the Veteran’s Fishing Day through South Shore Fishing Association and the Kraft Hockeyville competition. Thank you
for your service, Tom!

As of February 8th, Darcey Freeman-Lucas has joined the Senior Center staff as a
Homemaker Aide. Darcey is a Marquette Senior High School alum with a Clinical Lab
Assistant Certificate. She most recently worked for Biolife Plasma Services. Welcome,
Darcey!

The Senior Center welcomes Taylor Stanaway as a Homemaker Aide as of Jan. 25. Taylor is a Republic Michigamme H.S. graduate and recently worked as a cashier for Jubilee Foods in Ishpeming. Welcome,
Taylor!

Patrol Captain Mike Laurila has announced his retirement effective February 4th.
Captain Laurila joined the Marquette Police Department as a Patrol Officer in 1996 shortly after
obtaining his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and graduating from the Northern Michigan
University Regional Police Academy. In 2003 he was promoted to Uniform Corporal and again in
2006 to Uniform Sergeant. In 2010 Captain Laurila was promoted to Uniform Lieutenant where
he served until his promotion to Patrol Captain in January of 2016. His last day in the office was
Friday, January 14th. Thank you for 26 years of service to the City of Marquette and congratulations,
Captain Laurila!

As of January 11th, Justin Kirby is the City’s newest Heavy Equipment Operator. Justin has a Forestry
degree from Michigan Tech. University. Justin came to the City of Marquette from Sodergren Septic.
Welcome, Justin!

The Motor Pool division of DPW welcomes Alex Carter as the new Motor Pool Technician as of Jan. 10.
Alex is a Marquette Senior High alum with a welding certification from Northern Michigan University.
Alex has been a tire technician, equipment mechanic at Payne and Dolan and most recently an equipment
mechanic at Midway Rentals and Sales. Welcome, Alex!

Water/WWTP Operator Scott Dietrich has rejoined the Marquette Area Wastewater Treatment Plant staff
as of January 3rd. Scott was hired by the City a year ago in January in this position, but he left for family
obligations temporarily. Prior to the City of Marquette, Scott was employed as a Utility Systems Repairer
Operator for the USDA ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. Scott obtained
his Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from NMU in 2013. Welcome
back, Scott!

Suzanne Larsen has officially joined the City of Marquette staff as City Attorney as of January 1st. Prior
to coming on staff, Suzanne was appointed the City Attorney through the City’s retainer with Kendricks,
Bordeau, Keefe, Seavoy & Larsen, P.C. on Jan. 1, 2021 and had worked with former City Attorney Ron
Keefe to provide legal services to the City for several years prior to that. Suzanne had been with the firm
for 24 years when she made the transition to the City. Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. She was elected to the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners in 2019, and currently serves on its executive committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and was appointed as a hearing panelist for the Attorney Discipline Board.