By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

INDEPENDENCE TWP. — After voting Jim Sucher to one of the vacant two spots on the Township Planning Commission at the Jan. 9 regular meeting of the Township Board of Trustees, the board filled the second spot by voting in Bill Scarborough at the Jan. 23 meeting.
The motion was made by Township Trustee Sam Moraco, seconded by Township Clerk Cari Neubeck, and passed unanimously.
Motions from Supervisor Jose Aliaga to appoint Scarborough and Sucher to terms that expire Dec. 31, 2026 both failed at the Dec. 19 meeting. One to appoint Scarborough also failed Jan. 9 before passing last Tuesday.
Scarborough is active in the township, serving on the Senior Community Center Advisory Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals and is also a recent member of the Residential Open Space Advisory Committee.
Former planning commission chairperson Brent Savidant, who had served since 2014, and secretary Judy Tully, who had served since 2012, were not reappointed by Aliaga when their terms expired on Dec. 31, 2023.

File photo: Matt Mackinder