Brandon Twp.- The township board is accepting applications from residents who would like to be appointed to a vacant trustee seat.
Bob DeWitt submitted a letter of resignation to the township board on March 10 after more than six years as a trustee, explaining that he could not serve out the remainder of his second term because he was moving to Addison Township.
The board accepted DeWitt’s resignation at their March 21 meeting and by May 5 must appoint someone to complete the term that ends in November 2012. Applications are available at the clerk’s office, 395 Mill St., and include questions on general qualifications, education, availability, volunteer/community service, municipal experience, current issues and more. Applications must be returned by 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, to the clerk’s office. Candidates will be interviewed during a special board meeting planned for 6:30 p.m., April 18, at the township offices.
This will be the second board appointment in less than a year-and-a-half. In January 2010, the township board had 10 applicants for the trustee seat left vacant by the death of Charlene Carlson in December 2009. Cheryl Gault was appointed as a trustee in February 2010, and in the August primary election, faced only one opponent for the seat? township resident Dana DePalma, who had also applied for the appointment in January.
Gault won the election in a fairly close race, receiving 973 votes to DePalma’s 856 votes. Gault ran unopposed in the November election.
At the March 21 board meeting, Supervisor Kathy Thurman and Clerk Jeannie McCreery said they supported appointing DePalma, noting she had shown her desire for the position previously and followed through by being the only other candidate to run for election to the seat.
However, Gault, Treasurer Terry Beltramo, and Trustee David King said they would like to open it up to other possible candidates. Trustee Tom Stowell said he would hate to cut anyone off who might be interested in the appointment.
DePalma, who was in attendance at the meeting, said she was hoping to be offered the seat outright, but will apply again to be considered for the appointment.