Robinson Daily News

Birkofer is acting Robinson mayor

Will serve until April election


Robinson City Clerk Btrittney Walton administers the oath of office to Acting Mayor John Birkofer during a special city council meeting Tuesday. Randy Harrison | Daily News

Robinson City Clerk Btrittney Walton administers the oath of office to Acting Mayor John Birkofer during a special city council meeting Tuesday. Randy Harrison | Daily News

Long-time Robinson Alderman John Birkofer is now the city’s acting mayor.
Birkofer, 58, was elected acting mayor by the Robinson City Council during a special meeting Tuesday. All other aldermen voted in favor of Birkofer while he abstained.
The council also unimously accepted the retirement of Mayor Roger Pethtel. Pethtel, who recently started his 14th year as mayor, announced his retirement last week and ended his time in office Monday.
Birkofer just began his 21st year as alderman from Ward 4. He was first elected in 2001.
He will serve as acting mayor until the April 4, 2023, consolidated election. At that time, someone will be elected to fill out the remaining two years on Pethtel’s term.
A candidate will be elected to a full, four-year mayoral term in 2025.
While acting mayor, Birkofer will continue to be a voting member of the council, representing Ward 4.
He anticipates a busy year.
“We’ve got a lot of work going on with regards to housing and we’re looking to expand our industrial park,” Birkofer told the Daily News. “We have several other ongoing projects that will continue.”
“We’ve got a lot to do — as always,” he added.
The city just completed the third year of an ongoing street and infrastructure renovation.
“We were in dire need of upgrades to our streets,” Birkofer explained.
A few years ago, Robinson had just paid off a bond issue which funded storm sewer renovations. A new $3-million series of bonds, taking the place of the storm sewer bonds, funded the street work.
Retired from both Marathon and the Robinson Police Department, the Robinson native now owns the local Jersey Mike’s restuarant with his daughter and son-in-law, Jenna and Cody Yager.

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