BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Staff Writer

The Independence Township Board of Trustees appointed replacements for treasurer and a trustee seat and also named the new clerk at the regular board meeting on June 4.
Two names are familiar to the board as current Trustee Rachel Loughrin will replace Paul Brown as treasurer and Brown will then take an open trustee spot.
Brown had resigned last month upon taking new employment, as did Jim Tedder, who previously filled a trustee spot. One trustee seat remains open.
Both positions take effect July 1, and both appointments expire at noon on Nov. 20, 2020.
“I appreciate everyone’s support and all the support I had from other people in the community that helped me with the decision to leave my position at the city of Pontiac and apply for the position here at the township,” Loughrin said. “I’m very excited to be considered.”
Three individuals called to express interest and ask questions regarding the treasurer position, but only two applications were received before the 4 p.m. deadline on May 28. Both candidates that submitted applications had different skill sets, work experiences and business and educational qualifications that would have benefited the township, according to the public meeting packet.
Prior to the Selection Committee process was to begin, one candidate put the township on notice they were withdrawing their application for personal reasons. The remaining candidate was Loughrin, whose financial background includes serving as the city of Pontiac’s director of economic development and an Oakland County business development representative, in addition to serving on various planning and land use positions in the state of Arizona. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Michigan.
“I’m glad we’re keeping the band together,” said Township Supervisor Pat Kittle.
“Glad to be part of the team still,” Brown responded.
Also announced was Cari Neubeck replacing Barb Pallotta, who announced her retirement last month, as township clerk. Neubeck has been the deputy clerk at Oakland Township for the past four and a half years.
“As hard as it was for me to make this decision for myself personally, I am definitely leaving this position in very good hands,” said Pallotta. “This is a good fit for our township.”
“I’m very much looking forward to this appointment,” Neubeck added. “In two days (June 6), it will be my 27-year anniversary working for the township and this is like coming back home. On June 6, 1992, I started working full-time in the old building. There are many new faces, but I’m looking forward to working with you. Hopefully, most of you will stay on the board.
“I appreciate so much what Barb has done and can’t wait to get my feet wet. I always say she has small feet and shoes to fill, but she has walked big steps and I am really looking forward to following what she has done and improving on the things she has begun.”
Neubeck began her municipal government tenure at Independence Township in June 1992 as its election administrator and was then appointed deputy clerk in May 1999 and served through Nov. 2004. Her career extended to Macomb County after that, serving as election coordinator for nine and a half years in Shelby Township.
Neubeck will begin her training period with Pallotta on July 1 and will officially become clerk on July 29. Her appointment will also conclude at noon on Nov. 20, 2020.