With former Orion Township Trustee Eric Wilson now settled in as Orion Township’s new Oakland County Commissioner, the Orion Township Board has begun the task of finding a replacement for him.
The board held a special meeting on June 23 to accept Wilson’s resignation and to discuss procedures for appointing a replacement for his seat on the board. Wilson won the general election on June 17 to finish the term of former commissioner Larry Obrecht, who left his post representing Orion and Oakland Townships to manage Oakland County Animal Control.
Wilson was sworn in as commissioner on June 18. In their special meeting, trustees decided to accept resumes and letters of interest for the vacant position until 4 p.m. on July 2. Resumes should be dropped off at the clerk’s office.
The board plans to interview candidates at 6 p.m., prior to the regular board meeting at 7 p.m., on July 7. A decision could then be made either on July 7, or at the next meeting on July 21, or at a special meeting in between if the board so decides.
Questions to be asked in the interviews will come from board members, who were to turn in their questions to the three elected officials by the end of this week. Whoever is appointed will finish Wilson’s term, which expires on Nov. 20, 2004.
“All we have to do is make an appointment within 45 days…from the day Mr. Wilson resigned,” said clerk Jill Bastian. “Then if we didn’t have enough votes to approve someone on the 21st, we’ll have a few days after that.”
Bastian wanted the board to consider that a decision could be made on July 7 as well, because she said she would be unable to attend the July 21 meeting, and thought some other trustees might not as well.
“I think we can make it an option,” said supervisor Jerry Dywasuk. “I don’t want it to look like we decided something ahead of time.”
“Let’s not be wishy washy,” trustee Richard Tomczak said. “Either we are or we ain’t. We need a date.”
“I hope you know how political that sounds when you make that statement,” responded Bastian. “You’ll have four people who will have to agree on the 21st.”
Board members did agree that everyone who applies for the position should have a chance to be interviewed.
“We’re not obligated to interview all those who apply, but it could be a little awkward if we start picking and choosing,” Bastian said.
“By all means, anyone interested should submit a resume,” said Dywasuk, adding that applicants must be registered Orion Township voters.
“We’re trying to approach it fairly…We could get a great number of people who at least want the opportunity to be interviewed,” Tomczak said. “I’m not in favor of a committee deciding who’ll be interviewed.”
“I think anyone who applies, we should interview them,” agreed trustee Michael Fetzer. “I think we have to.”
Resumes should be turned into the clerk’s office at 2525 Joslyn Road by 4 p.m. on July 2. For more information, call 391-0304.