By Susan Bromley

Staff Writer

Ortonville-David Trent will be introduced to the community as the new village manager during the next council meeting, set for 7 p.m., Oct. 24, at the Brandon Township offices, 395 Mill St.

The council unanimously voted to offer Trent the job at an Oct. 13 special meeting. Background checks have been completed and the council and new village manager have a verbal agreement, although the signing of a contract had not been completed as of Wednesday afternoon.

“He’s very gregarious and a personable individual, very diplomatic,” said Council President Wayne Wills. “He has experience in small town government and that is why he will be a good fit.”

Trent, a Salem Township resident, is currently a trustee of that community who is running for re-election. He also served as Salem Township clerk for two terms, from 2004-2012, and was a former candidate for state representative.

He notes he has always had a passion and interest in government and first ran for a school board seat after graduating from Plymouth High School when he was 19-years-old. He is now 63.

“I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to serve the village council and the residents of Ortonville,” said Trent on Wednesday. “I was looking for a full-time position to utilize my 12 years of public service and education, knowledge and hands-on experience… I felt this was the time to seek an opportunity for a managerial position in a small town community. My wife and I like small towns.”

Trent has been married to Cindy for 40 years and the couple has three adult children, Amanda, Michael, and Joshua. Their first grandchild is on the way and for that reason, they want to remain in southeast Michigan.

Trent notes that when he was being interviewed by the council, one of the questions he was asked is where he sees himself in 5 years. His answer was, “Right here in Ortonville,” and he adds that this job is not a stepping stone to reach any other position and he is considering a move here.

Such stability would be attractive to a council which has been seeking to replace Mike Lee, who resigned in August after less than three months as village manager following the retirement of John Lyons, who served as village manager for almost five years. After Lee’s sudden departure, Lyons returned as interim village manager and will stay a little longer to ease Trent into his new duties.

Trent, who earned his bachelor’s of business administration degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1989, worked for General Motors from 1975-1993, starting as an hourly worker and leaving as a quality group manager. He then began his own business as a quality consultant. After a failed state representative campaign in 2002, he was elected Salem Township clerk and served in that capacity for eight years. For the past four years, he has been trustee and also is a licensed insurance agent representing AFLAC.

Trent notes Ortonville faces many of the same challenges as his own township in dealing with infrastructure concerns and issues. Salem Township was recently successful in applying for a Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater grant for $330,000 from the DEQ.

“What I’ve proposed to the village council with the success from the Salem grant is seeking out funding sources from the county, state or federal level to help us pursue the implementation of a sewer system which does not place an undue burden on residents,” said Trent, noting that although citizens have spoken “loud and clear” with a no vote last year on a sewer proposal on the ballot, he still hopes to learn whether residents don’t want sewers, or they don’t want the financial burden associated with sewers.

Regardless, he wants to bring his managerial skills to the village to ensure efficient government services in the community.

“I’m a big believer in continous improvement,” said Trent.