Chamber recognizes Niven, Chelsea anniversary

For the last time in his elected position, Mayor Earl Niven attended the South Shelby Chamber’s Coffee with the Mayor breakfast.

Members of the chamber and the Chelsea community gathered March 10 at Chelsea Community Center to thank Niven for 20 years as mayor and reflect on the city’s 20th anniversary.

“It is wonderful to be here today because this is another milestone that we can see that has happened here in Chelsea,” said the chamber’s first director Bonnie Atchison. “Several years ago there was a group of people in our side of the county … and we wanted to come together as a group so that we would be able to build.”

The chamber formally incorporated on Oct. 20, 1993, and Atchison reflected on seeing Chelsea incorporate in 1996 and grow into a successful city. As they worked to grow the chamber, Atchison said she would go to businesses throughout the county.

“280 had begun to grow up, and there would be a business here, and I’d visit that business and another business, but the main person that was here in all of that was Earl Niven and a beautiful lady named June,” she said, “and they were so good in helping me and helping Shelby County in making Chelsea what it is today.”

Atchison said that the community feel is what makes Chelsea great, and she encouraged business owners and homeowners to continue greeting each other as neighbors even as the city continues to grow.

Even though Niven is retiring, Atchison said the city is not losing him. There is no such thing as retiring, she said.

“I’ll be at the first council meeting telling them what they’re doing wrong,” Niven said.

Chamber director April Stone thanked Niven for the partnership the chamber has had with Chelsea and presented him with a gift from the chamber. Council member Juanita Champion, who is retiring after serving for 12 years on the council, was also recognized at the breakfast.

Although he is not seeking reelection, Niven said he believes the city will be in good hands. He recognized the three council members running for mayor — Dale Neuendorf, Alison Nichols and Tony Picklesimer.

“They’ll be bringing some experience to the office,” Niven said. “I told them the first five phone calls are free and then $125 a call.”

Chelsea has benefitted from its residents and businesses over the last 20 years, Niven said, and it has seen consistent growth during that time. He also thanked the businesses who provided food at the breakfast for the role they have had in the city’s growth.

“Our city is still growing, and we are very blessed,” he said.

The county also plays a role in Chelsea’s growth, Niven said, and he appreciated the Shelby County Commission’s help in building the Chelsea Community Center. The county helped fund the senior center, televisions and some outdoor recreation equipment in the building.

“We have a lot to offer here, and this is just an example of our entire city,” he said. “We try to meet the needs of our people.”

County Manager Alex Dudchock said Niven has been a great partner for the county, noting his open communication on county initiatives.

“I feel like after these comments, I shouldn’t mess it up. I should just go ahead and quit today,” Niven said. “But I do have until Oct. 31, and I will be your mayor up until then because there’s some things on the table that I would love to see finished.”

For the next mayor, Niven said his advice is to love Chelsea and to manage money well. If a person does not love Chelsea, he said, they do not need to run for mayor.

“Chelsea’s growing, and again, we can’t do it just as a mayor and council. It takes everybody. It takes the people,” Niven said.