The Manitowoc Common Council felt a little emptier last night (August 18th) without one member sitting in his seat.
The sound of a little red bell echoed through the Council Chambers in honor of Jim Brey.
The bell was used by the late Alderman Jim during budget meetings as a way to keep the meetings interesting.
The council held a moment of silence at its first meeting since Brey’s passing last week.
Council President Mike Cummings also said a prayer.
“Lord, we are grateful for the years we shared with him,” Cummings stated. “For his wisdom, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to this community. We ask that you comfort his family, friends, and all who mourn his passing.”
A black cloak covered Brey’s aldermanic seat with a candle and a message that read, “In loving memory of those who are not here today but are forever present in our hearts.”
Following the meeting, Alderman Bill Schlei says it was a weird thing not having Brey there.
“I caught myself like I always did, just glancing over every now and then, and I see that black cloak over his seat,” he remarked. “And it frankly was heartbreaking and hard to get through this evening.”
Sixth District Alderman Eric Sitkiewitz called Brey a class act and a friend.
“To lose a colleague the way we lost Jim is just heartbreaking, and the city is worse off for it,” he lamented. “But we hold on to our memories and that’s what we have, and I have just nothing but fond memories.”
Whether the city will appoint someone to the council to fill the term is not known.
The 4th Aldermanic district seat will be up for election in April 2026.
The 58-year-old Brey passed away after his vehicle crashed into a building in Manitowoc last Tuesday.
His funeral and visitation are set for tomorrow (August 20th) at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Newton.
