Jeffries tapped to fill vacancy on parks commission

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Mark Jeffries to fill a vacancy on the township’s Parks and Recreation Commission.

Jeffries, 65, will take over for Maxine Brickner, who has retired from the commission and had her resignation accepted by the board at a Monday, March 21 meeting, during which Jeffries was appointed.

Jeffries’ term will expire in November 2012 and he will receive $85 per meeting, as do the other commissioners.

He ran for a Parks and Recreation Commission post in last November’s general election, but came up short.

“I bring a business background, a broad perspective and a passion for the parks,” Jeffries said. “I’m familiar with the parks and value the parks system because it’s a great asset and I want to contribute in some way.”

Jeffries is also the current president of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition, which serves as a partner with West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation.

He also serves as vice president of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, an organization in Oakland County that works to reduce and prevent substance abuse among youths and adults by working with 14 coalitions in the county.

Jeffries, a 13-year resident of West Bloomfield, is currently retired after working for 36 years in the automotive field as a supplier.