Brandon Twp. – After serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals board for more than two years Donna Ferrara will now chair the meetings.
On Aug. 25 ZBA Chairman Todd Bell resigned his seat due to relocating to Grand Traverse County.
Following his resignation, Vice Chairperson Donna Ferrara was appointed to replace him.
‘Brandon Township is a wonderful community and I believe I can make a difference in upholding its rural integrity,? said Ferrara.
‘I’ve been a Brandon resident for a long time and this is my way of giving back.?
Because Ferrara currently serves on both the Planning Commission and the ZBA, Township Supervisor Ron Lapp said she will act as liaison between the two zoning bodies.
‘She is a bright, articulate woman and by the mere fact that she was nominated as vice chair, the board felt confident she can fill the void,? said Lapp.
The township board appointed 20 year Brandon resident Dale Cunningham to the ZBA to fill the vacancy created by Bell’s resignation.
Lapp said Cunningham, who is the chief financial officer for the Oakland County Sheriff Department, will bring extensive experience to the ZBA from serving on the school and fire boards, as well as the wage compensation board in the past.
‘I took some time off from the local boards but recently told Supervisor Lapp that when something opens up to let me know,? Cunningham said.
Although local law will be new to Cunningham, a master’s degree and doctorate in Public Administration has given him a firm belief in local government control.
‘I believe local control should go the way the community wants it to go,? said Cunningham adding that hew is looking forward to continuing to serve his community.