Miskimen appointed to fill open seat on Marion council

Gage Miskimen was formally appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Marion City Council Thursday night. Mr. Miskimen, a former Gazette reporter, was one of three candidates who applied to fill the unexpired term of former council member Colette Atkins, whose resignation from the council was effective March 31. The other two applicants for the seat were Kim Etzel, a Marion businessperson who previously served on the council from 2011 to 2018, and Lou Rogers, a former Marine who works as a contractor for fire alarm and security products. All three candidates responded to questions from the council at Thursday night’s meeting, and council members then cast ballots to fill the term. Mr. Miskimen got four votes from the members in attendance, while Ms. Etzel received one vote. Mr. Miskimen, a Marion native who currently works as a community engagement coordinator for Four Oaks, told the council he’s an enthusiastic supporter of Marion’s growth, and highlighted his coverage of Marion government during his three-year Gazette tenure. He also noted that he felt that at 26, his age would provide a valuable demographic addition to the council. “I do feel as if I'm the personification of what this board in Marion is looking to do – keep young people here and/or bring them home to work, live, play, and raise a family,” Mr. Miskimen said. “I'm a prime example of all that. I'm home and I want to be here and give Marion my all. As a council member, I think I would bring a younger perspective to the council that is currently missing. I think I would also be a great complementary piece to the team, and I hope to use that lens to reach younger folks in our community.” Mr. Miskimen will represent Marion’s Ward 1, which covers most of the city’s northwest side. He also said he intends to seek a full term on the council in November’s general election.