Mayor & City Council

 

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Paul 2019
Paul Frechette
Mayor
121 N. Fourth St 
West Branch, MI 48661
frechettewbmayor@westbranch.com
(989) 345-0500

Mayor Frechette has worked for the Michigan State Police for over 24 years and currently serves as a S/Sgt. with the Fire Investigation Unit.

Paul previously served on the West Branch City Council from 2000-2011.  During that time, he served as Mayor Pro-Tem under then Mayor Todd Thompson.  Paul also served on the West Branch Regional Medical Center Board from 2008-2011.  In addition, Paul currently serves as the Secretary/ Treasurer for the Gladwin Chapter of Iron Bandogs group which helps raise money for local non-profit organizations throughout Gladwin and Ogemaw Counties.

Paul received his Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University.

Paul was raised in Waterford, MI and has resided in the City of West Branch since 1995. He is married to his wife, Deanna, and together they are the proud parents of five children, three grandchildren, and are expecting two more grandchildren this year. 

Paul is proud to be serving as Mayor to the City of West Branch! 


Cathy 2019
Cathy Zimmerman
Council Member
(At-Large)

121 N 4th St
West Branch, MI  48661
zimmermanwbcouncil@westbranch.com
 (989) 345-0500
Cathy was elected to City Council and was sworn in in January 2019.
Mike 2019 
Michael Jackson
Council Member
(At-Large)

121 N 4th St
West Branch, MI  48661
 jacksonwbplanning@westbranch.com
(989) 345-0500
Mike was born in Belleville, Michigan but raised in the Denver, Colorado area.  He moved back to Michigan in 1996 to be near his parents, who retired to West Branch, where they both grew up.

Mike was appointed to the West Branch Planning Commission in 2009, a position that he still holds.  He has served as Planning Commission Chair from 2015 until his appointment to City Council in February 2018.  He also served briefly as a member of the Ogemaw County EDC Board from 2011 to 2013. 

Mike married his wife Dawn in 2004.

In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading and watching sports.



Joanne 2019
 Joanne Bennett
Council Member
(
At-Large)

121 N First St
West Branch, MI  48661
bennettwbcouncil@westbranch.com
(989) 345-0500
Joanne is a graduate of Ogemaw Heights High School after having moved to the area in junior high. She decided to advance her education at Central Michigan University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Education. 

She returned to Ogemaw County where she currently works for Pepsi Beverages Company, a division of PepsiCo, located in the city’s industrial park.  Joanne currently sits on the West Branch Downtown Development Authority. 

Joanne is married to Scott, and together have seven children and eight grandchildren.  Both her son, Donald Reminder, attending COOR ISD and daughter, Alli Reminder, attending OHHS will graduate in the spring of 2017.  The Bennett’s attend church at Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church.  In her free time, Joanne enjoys reading, going to the movies, volunteering, learning and spending time with family.

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Dan Weiler
Council Member
(At-Large)

121 N Fourth St
West Branch, MI  48661
weilerwbcouncil@westbranch.com
(989) 345-0500
Dan was born and raised in West Branch, and is a graduate of Ogemaw Heights High School.

He previously worked for the City of West Branch at the Waste Water Treatment Plant facility; and retired from that position. Prior to being elected as a Councilmember, Dan has and continues to serve on the West Branch Planning Commission.

Dan is the proud father of 2 children, his daughter Danielle of West Branch, and son Keith who currently resides in the great state of Minnesota.  Dan wants to bring more community engagement back to the City, and believes he can make a difference on council as he has the time to put forth for the job since his retirement.
Ellen 2019 

Ellen Pugh
Council Member
(At-Large)
121 N 4th St

West Branch, MI  48661
pughwbcouncil@westbranch.com
(989) 345-0500

Ellen is retired from the West Branch-Rose City School district where she served as a college prep English teacher at the Ogemaw Heights High School for 30 years. In addition, Ellen also served as the Ogemaw Heights Athletic Director for 15 years and was recognized with the Women in Sports Leadership Award by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and Coach of the Year in the NEMC conference. Ellen has served on many committees at MHSAA in Lansing.

In her free time, Ellen enjoys singing with the Sweet Adeline’s and is a member of Kiwanis and the First United Methodist Church.

Ellen obtained her bachelors degree from Western Michigan University. After college, Ellen and her husband Mike moved to West Branch to pursue teaching at WB-RC Area Schools. Together they have raised three children. Mike retired from WB-RC Area Schools after 37 years and Ellen after 41 years. They feel that moving to West Branch was the best choice they could possibly have made! 

Chris 2019 
Chris Powley

Council Member
(At-Large)

121 N 4th St
West Branch, MI  48661
powleywbcouncil@westbranch.com
(989) 345-0500

 



Chris was appointed to Council and sworn in on July 29, 2019.