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MSU extension director urges Gogebic County to keep 4‑H position full time; commissioners seek details
Summary
During public comment at the Aug. 27 meeting MSU District 1 Director Paul Putnam urged the Gogebic County Board to retain a full‑time 4‑H position, saying the program has been successful; commissioners requested enrollment and staffing details and expressed differing views.
Paul Putnam, MSU District 1 Director, used the public comment period at the Aug. 27 Gogebic County Board meeting to ask commissioners to keep the county’s 4‑H position full time, citing program success.
“the program has been successful,” Putnam said, and warned that converting the role to half time would slow progress the program has made. Commissioners followed up with questions: Commissioner Wood asked Putnam why the position should remain full time; Commissioner Lorenson asked why the 4‑H office was operating by appointment only. Putnam said the office is sometimes kept closed because the staffers are women who feel uncomfortable leaving the door open alone. Commissioner Matonich said he did not see the need for a full‑time position. Chairman Dan Siirila asked Putnam for enrollment numbers in the county’s 4‑H programs.
The minutes record the exchange but include no motion or formal staff direction on the staffing level. The record shows the Board heard the concerns and requested additional information; no staffing decision was made at the meeting.
