No sooner did the Oxford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) vote to recommend someone to fill a vacancy than another board member announced her resignation.

At its Dec. 17 meeting, the DDA board voted 7-0 to recommend to the village council that Michelle Klein be appointed to the seat vacated by Nancy Rosentrater.

Klein is part owner of Blu Ivy, a new home decor and design boutique business at 11 S. Washington St.

If approved by council, she will serve on the DDA board through 2020.

Klein, who lives in the Waterstone development in the township, came to Michigan in 2001 from Minnesota. She built a career in retail, starting with a position at the Kmart headquarters.

Due to a misunderstanding, she was unable to attend the DDA meeting, but in her application, Klein wrote she wants to help Oxford “grow and become more of a destination for residents and visitors.”

Klein wrote she has “a vested interest in the success of the downtown” and wants to “help make it a more prosperous and safe environment for families.”

She was one of two applicants for the DDA seat. The other was former village President Sue Bossardet, who just left council last month after deciding against seeking re-election.

Board Member Elgin Nichols indicated he was originally leaning toward Bossardet because she has a “vast amount of knowledge” given her previous service on council and the DDA board.

Village President Joe Frost, who also serves on the DDA board, agreed with Nichols, but pointed out the need to get other people participating in local government.

“I think we should get more new faces involved,” he said.

Nichols told Frost his argument is “a good one” and he wants to see more downtown business owners become “active,” but he was still favoring Bossardet.

“I know she’s dedicated when she gets on a board,” he said.

Bossardet, who was in the audience, stepped to the podium and withdrew her application because she believes the DDA board needs “some new blood” and she favors Klein because she has “skin in the game” as a business owner.

Toward the end of the meeting, another vacancy opened up on the board when Susan Schurr, who was appointed in October 2013, announced her resignation during board member comments. She’s moving to be closer to her children.

“I had a very good experience on the board and I enjoyed working with all of you,” she said. “Thank you very much.”