Michelle Beecher is Ely’s newest city council member. Mayor Nathan Robertson had nominated Beecher, twice, in two consecutive meetings, first to replace Tony DeFeliz, who resigned September 12th, and again, after Sam Hanson’s resignation September 19th. The political road to get Beecher elected to the city council was a long and winding one.

Since Sept. 18, readers have left more than 160 comments on The Ely Times’ Facebook post about the council’s 4-1 vote to appoint Ed Spear to a vacant seat. The council had proposed two options for the appointment — Spear or Michelle Beecher — but during discussion two members raised questions about Beecher’s availability for the task.