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Cowley will retain his title as chief of police as he takes on the new duties. He is the temporary replacement for resigned city manager Lou LaPonsie, whose final day on the job was May 16. Cowley's salary will increase from $51,744 to $68,000 to reflect the additional responsibilities.

City officials have also reposted the manager position, after the initial search for LaPonsie's successor proved unsuccessful. Although the city received 23 applications, the top contender, Tom Youatt, city administrator of Harbor Beach, accepted a position in West Branch.

Councilperson Virginia Bissett spoke positively of Cowley at the meeting, calling him the most qualified for the interim title, and expressed the possibility that he could take over the position permanently.

"It's a different position. There's a lot of challenges over there (in the manager's position)," said Cowley. "If there's some way I can help, I guess I'm interested. It's a whole new ball game, and I need to get educated first on everything that goes on."

Cowley said the daily operations of the police department will be handled by Sgt. Dewayne Gilley.

In other items of council.business, the controversy that has arisen over changing the name of Stoutenburg Road to Campbell Road was discussed in detail. Councilman Rick Cook explained the purchase agreement that stipulated that Stoutenburg would be renamed Campbell Road from M-46 south to Miller Road. The name change occurred after land was purchased from the Campbell family to expand the city's industrial park. At the time, a manufacturing plant had expressed interest in locating on the property. The plans have since fallen through.

Cook asked for suggestions to resolve the name change controversy, since businesses along Stoutenburg Road have complained they'll have to replace business cards, advertisements, bank checks, etc. to coincide with the new name.

Mayor Tom Lukshaitis said that despite the displeasure with the name change, he signed the purchase agreement, and would like to remain true to his word.