Lewsley tapped to fill open seat on White Lake board

For the first time since former supervisor Mike Kowall left for the state Senate in January, all seven seats on the White Lake Township Board of Trustees soon will be occupied.

David Lewsley will fill the final vacancy after the township board unanimously decided to appoint him as the newest trustee at a special board meeting held on Thursday, Feb. 24.

The appointment came after White Lake’s governing body finished interviewing the top candidates for the position. Although three applicants were invited to interview, only Lewsley and Rik Kowall were interviewed. The third candidate, William Pierson, had previously notified the board that he would be on vacation in Australia at the time of the interviews.

Nonetheless, board members felt they had a good understanding of Pierson from his previous interview for the supervisor position in January. At that time, he had gained the support of Treasurer Jay Brendel, Trustee Mike Powell, and Trustee Todd Birkle. However, after a deadlocked vote at a Jan. 24 board meeting, Pierson withdrew his application for the supervisor post, stating he was still interested in any vacant trustee position.

However, a motion at the Feb. 24 meeting by Trustee Carol Burkard to appoint Pierson as trustee failed 3-3, with Burkard, Supervisor Greg Baroni and Clerk Terry Lilley in favor of the appointment.

Lilley then made a motion to appoint Lewsley, which gained the approval of the entire board.

Lewsley, a practicing attorney for 30 years, impressed the board with his experience and dedication to White Lake’s Planning Commission for the past 14 years. In addition, Lewsley also brings to the table managerial experience in both the automotive and insurance industries.

“I’m very pleased and honored (to be trustee),” he said. “This gives me an opportunity to kick up my level of public service to the community.”

There has been a shuffling of seats on the board over the past five months. First, former Treasurer Beverly Spoor resigned in September and was replaced by Brendel. Baroni then filled Brendel’s trustee position.

With the election of Mike Kowall to the state Senate in November, another vacancy needed to be filled, and Baroni was tapped for the job, leading to Lewsley’s appointment last week.

All the board member terms expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Township trustees typically serve four-year terms. They currently earn $8,175 annually.