Stanton— The Montcalm County Election Commission has appointed Sheila Smith as temporary clerk and Nancy Snyder as temporary treasurer for the Belvidere Township Board. This decision, made on October 20, 2023, aims to restore quorum following multiple resignations that have plagued the township.
The Election Commission, which includes Kristen Millard, the county clerk, JoAnne Vukin, the treasurer, and Charles Simon III, the probate court judge, convened at the request of Township Trustee Wayne Watts. With only two officials remaining on the board, the need for a quorum became urgent.
Over the past three years, Belvidere Township has faced significant administrative instability, witnessing the departure of four supervisors, seven clerks, two treasurers, and four trustees. In just the last month, three officials resigned: Tim Anstett, who served as clerk for a mere month and a half, Leigh Murray as supervisor, and Yolanda Lane as treasurer.
Millard, who has served as county clerk for nearly 30 years, remarked that such appointments are unprecedented in her experience. During the meeting, she proposed the motion to appoint Smith and Snyder, which passed unanimously with a 3-0 vote.
Smith has a long history with the township, having served as clerk for nearly 30 years before resigning in early 2023. Since then, she has worked as the early voting chairperson for Montcalm County. Just before Anstett’s resignation, Watts attempted to reinstate Smith as clerk, but that motion failed due to a tie vote. Following this, Murray resigned, further complicating the board’s operations.
Snyder, who has previously served as treasurer for nine years and as deputy treasurer, has been active in assisting with elections and early voting in the township. She had applied for the treasurer position earlier this year but was not selected.
After being sworn in by Millard, Smith expressed a forward-looking approach, stating, “We’re not going to dwell on the past; we’re going to focus on the future.” Snyder echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of moving ahead.
The Belvidere Township Board is scheduled to reconvene on October 24, 2023, at 18:00. The appointments of Smith and Snyder are temporary, leaving the decision to retain them or appoint new candidates in the hands of the board. The supervisor position remains vacant, adding another layer of complexity to the board’s dynamic.
This reset aims to stabilize governance in Belvidere Township, allowing officials to focus on community needs and future initiatives.
