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Monday mornings on "Morning Edition" on 90.5FM WKAR, we talk with mayors and supervisors from cities and townships across mid-Michigan.

Chelsea Native Is The New Mayor; Touts Industry And Open Space

City of Chelsea
Chelsea mayor Melissa Johnson

Chelsea Mayor Melissa Johnson was the guest of WKAR Morning Edition host Brooke Allen on the February 19 "Mondays with the Mayor" segment. 

Credit City of Chelsea
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City of Chelsea
Chelsea mayor Melissa Johnson

The city of Chelsea has around 5-thousand residents. It is in Washtenaw county.

Johnson served on city council and planning commission prior to being elected mayor in November of 2017.

"One of my favorite things about Chelsea is the Chelsea Fair Parade," said Johnson.

Chelsea is known as the home of theJiffcornbread mix plant. It's also known for the Purple Rose Theater.

She said a hospital expansion is coming to Chelsea soon. St. Joseph Mercy Health System and the University of Michigan's Michigan Medicine recently signed a joint venture and affiliation agreement to operate 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital.

"The one thing that has changed.. the loss of farm land in the city," said Johnson. "As we've had growth we always want to make sure we maintain our green space because that's something special about the area. I think we all recognize the value to having green space, trails and parks to go visit."

The city was also notified it would be part of the Iron Belle Trail. 

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