Deadline passed, 45 people are in the running to be appointed replacement Independence Township Clerk for the next two years.
‘It was very surprising. I am glad we have a committee that’s going to review them and weed out the ones that aren’t qualified and narrow it down for us,? said Supervisor Dave Wagner. ‘It’s impossible for the township board to interview 45 people. We should have an opportunity to find someone who’s very, very qualified.?
The township board voted unanimously, Jan. 18, to approve a five person ‘selection committee,? longtime municipal attorney Jerry Fisher, Zac Bell, Beverly McElmeel, Joe Wauldron, and Karen Manvel.
Trustee Mark Petterson, who voted against the idea of a committee at the prior meeting, said he voted in favor this time because of Fisher.
‘I know Jerry Fisher has been a long standing member of this community. He was our municipal attorney and is an outstanding attorney,? he said. ‘He’s forgotten more than any of us will ever know.?
Petterson still believes candidates should be narrowed down by board members.
‘How hard can it be,? he asked. ‘This is not that difficult, in fact it’s very easy. I think the board just needs to get together and pick the top five and leave it at that.?
He’s also concerned about the process being ‘fair.? Wagner gave out resumes to board members he received prior to the Jan. 11 special meeting. Petterson said all resumes should have been handed out at the same time, after the Jan. 19 deadline.
‘We should have never been given that list last week,? he said. ‘We should have never chomped at the bit.?
At the Jan. 18 meeting, Petterson asked when the names of candidates would be released to the public. Trustee Neal Wallace said he didn’t think the Freedom Of Information Act prohibiting anyone from getting the names. However, Township Attorney Steve Joppich said there was one exception under the law.
‘If any of the candidates requested confidentiality, until the point of the interviews, the township can maintain that confidentiality only if it has been requested in writing,? Joppich said.
Trustee Dave Lohmeier asked if they should call the candidates and ask if they want their name kept confidential.
‘If I was submitting my resume for a position, it’s not something I would think I need to do,? Lohmeier said.
Joppich said the township doesn’t have to, but Wagner said he would have Deputy Supervisor Rick Yaeger call all candidates to see if they wanted their names made public.
‘Once you get to the interview process it does have to be in public,? Joppich said. ‘If they’re going to proceed with the interview, they’ll have to be willing to accept it will become public information.?
Petterson disagreed.
‘I want all those names out right now to the public, this is not just a job and they’re (the board) treating it as just a job,? he said. ‘This is a political position with statutory duties within our community.?
Selection committee report is set for Feb. 1. Township board will interview candidates, Feb. 8 and 15.
The board officially accepted Clerk Shelagh’s VanderVeen’s resignation at the Jan. 18 meeting on a 5-1 vote. Lohmeier voted ‘no,? saying he was ‘concerned? about the ad concerning the position.
‘It seemed to be the perception a lot of folks were looking at this as more of a clerk job then the clerk job. I think we could have been a little bit clearer,? he said. ‘My concern is whether we gave enough time for everybody to be aware of it.?