Spots still open on several boards
By Barb Pert Templeton
Finding residents to serve on city boards has been challenging in Marine City and in fact there were 15 vacancies on various boards just last month.
As the city commission’s most recent meeting on June 19 officials were pleased to have five new applicants for various posts and more residents applying for reappointments to existing seats.
When contacted via email after the June 19 commission meeting Marine City Clerk Jason Bell said the city received 16 applications for various open positions on city boards.
The criteria for applying for a spot on a Marine City board includes being a city resident, not being in debt to the city and being a registered voter. The exception to the city resident rule falls to the Arts, History and Culture Commission which has two spots for a resident or non-resident.
Bell said there are still openings on various boards and provided this list. There’s one spot on the
Arts, History and Culture Commission and it can be a resident or non-resident, one seat on the Ordinance Review Committee, three spots on the TIFA board and one spot on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
All of the applicants appointed met all requirements per the city ordinance/charter to hold a position on a city board.
At the commission’s recent meeting the following people were appointed to boards as listed here:
Planning Commission
There were two vacancies and three applicants for this board including current member Andrew Pakledinz. Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick was chairing the meeting and asked to appoint Max Bade and Michelle Ross to terms ending in June 2028.
“We’re trying to appoint some new people so they don’t get discouraged every time they put something in here (apply),” Hendrick said.
Commissioner Sean O’Brien said he felt Pakledinaz would have served well on the planning commission because he’s very good and has served the city on other boards.
Marine City Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick chaired the June 19th meeting of the city commission as Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche was out of town.
“He would serve us well on this board, he’d serve the community well on this board,” O’Brien said. “I take the point about newer people but also the more experience we give people on various boards the more likely they’re going to be a strong fit for this board eventually.”
“He’s still on the other board, right?” Hendrick said.
“As far as I know, and it’s sensible but I wanted to put out some thought in his favor because he’s good,” O’Brien replied.
“Point well taken,” Hendrick added.
Community and Economic Development Board
There were three vacancies on the CED board including spots for a chamber representative and two citizens at large. Four applicants applied for the seats. The city commission appointed the following trio of applicants to the board with terms expiring in June 2028.
Heather Hatcher (current member – citizen at large)
Cheryl Ross (current member – citizen at large)
Paul Merchant (current member – chamber rep)
Marine City Chamber Director Laura Merchant also applied for a seat.
Library Board
The Library Board had one vacancy and one applicant for the seat.
Linda Wilson was appointed to the library board for a term ending on June 30, 2028
Marine City Area Fire Authority
The fire authority had one vacancy and one applicant for the seat.
Justin McCartney was appointed to serve a term that will expire in June 2027.
The Arts, History & Culture Commission
This commission had four vacancies; one chamber representative and three citizens at large.
Three applicants were appointed to fill seats on the Arts, History and Culture Commission.
Amy Martinez (Chamber Rep)
Heather Hatcher (Citizen at Large)
Rose Gottler (Citizen at Large – non resident
“We are getting very close to having this board full, I’m very excited to see this coming together, we have a robustly different makeup on this board,” O’Brien said. “Bringing different talent, thoughts and experiences and Rose is bringing a much-needed art expertise to this group.”
Hendrick asked how many spots are still open and O’Brien said there’s just one spot left not.
“Wonderful, that’s so good,” Hendrick added.
The Ordinance Review Committee
This committee had three vacancies: one business rep and two citizens at large spots.
The commission appointed two people to the seats.
Amy Martinez (Business Owner)
Mark Posey (Citizen at Large)
“Theirs is still going to be one vacancy on this board for a citizen so if anyone has any desire please throw your name in the hat,” Commissioner Jacob Bryson said and noted that they really need someone by the next city commission meeting.
“So. we really need a person out there, this is to go over our ordinance so if you really have some thoughts on the ordinances that we currently have now is your opportunity,” Hendrick said.
The TIFA Board
This board had five vacancies but only two applicants applied to fill the seats.
The commission appointed these two applicants to fill a couple of the seats with terms that expire in June 2029.
Rebecca Bryson
Kim Turner
The next deadline to apply for open seats on boards in Marine City is July 9, 2025 at 4 p.m.
