Erie is losing a political leader and one of its best known promoters...
Rebecca Martin announced Wednesday shell be leaving Erie to become President and CEO of the Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce in Michigan near Grand Rapids.
Currently, Martin is Vice President for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership and has long been an outspoken advocate for the Erie area. Her last day on the job is July 6th.
Rebecca Martins departure also leaves a void politically in the community. She is currently the President of the school board for the Erie City School District. She says this position was great experience, but she needs to make this move.
Rebecca Martin was elected to the Erie School board in 2003. After the May primary, Martin looked like shoo-in for a second term... But now shes making the move to Michigan which means her spot needs to be filled.
"I feel really good about the legacy were leaving behind, its hard to leave it behind, but it is a career move for me."
Ned Smith an Erie City School Board Member for the past four years says Rebecca called him with the news Wednesday afternoon and she will be sorely missed.
"its a big loss to the Erie School Board and the Erie community. She was a great leader on the school board, a great facilitator, a great peacemaker, all skills shell take and do a wonderful job in her position. "
Martin won both the Democratic and Republican nomination for the school board during the May primary and she says she following up with the election board to find out what procedures she needs to follow now.
Rebecca says this whole situation came upon her very quickly but shes still in Erie and will serve out all of her duties with the school board until then.
