(Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo) Former Kingsford City Manager Anthony Edlebeck was honored by the city council Monday. From left are council members Dan Freeman, Cynthia Dixon-Miller and Michael Flaminio; Mayor Joe Groeneveld; City Manager Mike Stelmaszek; Edlebeck; Bruce Brouillette, city attorney; and Dennis Baldinelli, mayor pro tem.

KINGSFORD — Kingsford City Council was finally able to honor former City Manager Anthony Edlebeck in person.

Edlebeck was unable to attend the last council meeting on Aug. 7 where the council approved a resolution honoring him for his 34 years of service.

At that time, Current City Manager Mike Stelmaszek told the council Edlebeck couldn’t attend because he was at a meeting advocating for the city.

The resolution highlighted several things during his tenure including his service during a time of crisis with excessively cold winters in 1995-96 and 2023-14, the tornado of 2002 and the multimillion-dollar study and remediation plan in a large portion of the city following a methane explosion in July 1995.

Edlebeck also led a committee that sought out all undocumented history of the city’s last 100 years resulting in the publication of a 600-page book.

“I want to thank the current council and former councils, current and former employees. We’ve had good employees, wonderful citizens. I can’t say enough about those people,” Edlebeck said.

Edlebeck also gave credit to the many volunteers who helped with the centennial book by going to the library for research and approaching businesses, and also to everyone who brought in stories.

He was grateful to the business people who kept the city growing after Ford and Kingsford Charcoal left.

“I’ve been here 40 years and I worked with many people, council members and city workers, but never worked with anyone better than you,” Mayor Joe Groeneveld said. “You never asked for anything. I know no one in the city who has given like you.”

When Edlebeck was interviewed by a Detroit newspaper about the centennial, “they talked to Tony

for four hours and me about four minutes,” Groeneveld said.

Councilman Dan Freeman thanked Edlebeck for his commitment to the community. “A lot of people don’t volunteer their time and you’re still involved.”

Cynthia Dixon-Miller was grateful to Edlebeck for all his help. “I learned so much working with Tony.”

Michael Flaminio thanked Edlebeck and remembered working with him during the 75th anniversary. He hopes they both will be there for the 125th.

Mayor Pro-Tem Dennis Baldinelli said he is still on one or two other committees with Edlebeck. “He continues advocating for our city,” he said.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.