The Clark Township Board of Trustees hired a new township assessor, filled a vacancy on the township planning commission, joined a regional economic development consortium, and outlined a wish list for a new township work truck at its Thursday, October 15, meeting.

The board unanimously agreed to join the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance to help promote the Les Cheneaux Islands. Treasurer Katie Carpenter said the board joined the development and marketing alliance to be proactive in promoting and developing the area, rather than waiting for a similar group to be formed in Mackinac County, which is currently being researched by the county commission and county planning commission. She also hopes joining the alliance will help to rehabilitate vacant businesses in Cedarville's business district.

"If our township wants to know what's going on with economic development in the Upper Peninsula, since we don't have an EDC, we need to join this organization. If we had a county EDC, obviously that would be the resource," she said. "It's up to us locally to decide and take a stance and be proactive to at least go get the information and bring it back to the community."

The cost to join the Escanababased alliance is $125 annually, based on the township's population. In joining the alliance, the township will be able to use the group's resources to better attract and retain businesses. A Les Cheneaux representative is yet to be chosen to attend quarterly alliance meetings.

The economic development alliance is comprised of private companies, utilities, and local and regional economic development agencies in the Upper Peninsula. Its goal is to enhance, link, and promote the U.P. as a location for businesses to invest and conduct business. The group is funded mainly through grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Thompson Hired as Assessor

The board voted 3-2 to approve Christina Thompson of Cedarville to replace Polly Cairns as township assessor. Ms. Cairns was released from her contract last month owing to contract violations, including not being avail- able and accessible to township officials and residents as often as her contract required.

Mrs. Thompson, a level-two assessor, agreed to a three-year contract and $45,000 per year compensation, with no annual increases.

"It'd be nice to have somebody local in here. I think that's real beneficial," said Trustee Gary Wellnitz.

Mrs. Carpenter and Clerk Mike Miller were the two dissenting votes. Both said they wanted to hire Mrs. Thompson, but at a lower rate of $40,000 with annual pay increases. Mrs. Thompson will hold office hours in the township office Mondays through Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon.

"I support you 100%, it was the dollars and the numbers. I'd rather see annual raises," Mrs. Carpenter said to Mrs. Thompson.

Bob Dunn Is New Commissioner

Township Supervisor Gerald Hill appointed Cedarville resident Bob Dunn to the Clark Township Planning Commission to fill a spot vacated by Joe Eger of Cedarville. Mr. Eger resigned his position with the commission because he is moving south for the winter.

The board was enthusiastic to approve Mr. Dunn's appointment, noting he typically attends planning commission meetings and has a basic idea of how the commission operates.

"I'm familiar a little bit with what's going on" in the planning commission, he said.

Mr. Dunn will complete Mr. Eger's term ending in December 2010. Mr. Eger was appointed to the planning commission in July 2007 to complete the remainder of Selma Edsinga's four-year term, which started in January of that year.

New work truck

The board outlined features and amenities for a new township work truck to replace an eight-year-old truck used by township employees. The wish list will be sent to nearby automobile dealers, seeking truck quotes. The board plans to purchase a work truck from the dealership with the most appealing offer.

Features the board is seeking in the truck include four-wheel-drive, eight-foot-wide snowplow, trailer hitch, auxiliary power outlets, automatic transmission, and air conditioning. The purchase will be paid for with money from the township's general fund.