Nora Massey of St. Ignace was appointed Mackinac County interim treasurer Monday, April 14, from a pool of four candidates. She will be sworn in to a sevenmonth term May 1, completing the unused portion of Jane Hampton's term. Mrs. Hampton resigned.

The position will be on the November 4 general election ballot and the candidate winning the election will assume the office January 1.

Also being considered for the interim position were Walter J. Murray Jr. and Robert Winkelman, both of St. Ignace, and LeRoy Pieri of Cedarville.

Sitting on the appointment committee were County Clerk Mary Kay Tamlyn, Probate Judge Clayton Graham, and Prosecutor Fred Feleppa.

"I believe the county is fortunate enough to have this amount of interest from folks who are this well qualified for this important public service position," said Mr. Graham, who chaired the committee. "Any one of you, in my view, could effectively serve as county treasurer."

The committee agreed a number of variables made the decision difficult, including the timing of the appointment, which is close to the November election, and Mrs. Massey's current role as deputy treasurer.

Mrs. Tamlyn and Judge Graham voted for Mrs. Massey, while Mr. Feleppa offered the dissenting vote. Mr. Feleppa later told The St. Ignace News that he favored Mr. Winkelman and he also was concerned over the timing of Mrs. Hampton's retirement, which allowed for the interim appointment. Retiring seven months before her term was up, he said, seemed contrived.

"I'm uncomfortable to be used as a tool," said Mr. Feleppa, "whether intended or not, from anyone."

Mrs. Massey agreed that the timing was awkward. Mrs. Hampton could have retired in February, she said, although the office staff asked her to stay until tax settlement was completed.

"It would have been better for everyone," said Mrs. Massey following the appointment, "even myself, if she had served out her term and let everyone run [in the election] on even ground."

Prior to the vote, Mr. Graham said it was the committee's responsibility to appoint someone who would best fill the position for the next seven months. The voters, he said, will decide in November who the treasurer will be.

"The next four years is for the voters to decide, and not necessarily for this committee to decide."

Mrs. Tamlyn agreed with Judge Graham and said that it was a difficult decision.

Mr. Feleppa disagreed.

"I think due to the nature of the rapidly impending election and the timing of the declared vacancy, I don't think our role should be just limited to just who would best keep things for the next seven months," he said. "Whoever we appoint will have the word incumbent behind their name."

Mrs. Massey, who will be sworn into office May 1 by Mrs. Tamlyn, has worked for the county for 29 years. She has been deputy treasurer for 19 years and, before that, she worked in the Michigan State University Extension office.

The treasurer is a four-year elected position that has an annual salary of $43,254.

Candidates interested in running for the partisan office of treasurer in November must file a petition with the county clerk by 4 p.m. May 13.

As of April 14, Mrs. Massey and Mr. Murray had filed petitions with the county clerk's office to run for the post.