Oshtemo Township selects new trustee to fill vacancy
OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI — Neil Sikora is the newest member of the Oshtemo Township Board of Trustees.
Sikora, a former township trustee, was selected to fill the open seat by vote after he and other candidates spoke to the board Tuesday, June 27.
After the board appointed Sikora, he was sworn in and took his seat on the dais.
“For many years, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to our community, and pledge to continue that as a trustee,” Sikora said in his application to the board. “While I have served on the boards of large and small, governmental and non-governmental organizations, my main commitment will always be to Oshtemo Township, and I bring unique experiences and qualifications to the township board.”
In the past, he chaired the township’s planning commission, the zoning board of appeals, the board of review, and serves as the chairperson for an election precinct. He was elected and served as an Oshtemo trustee from 2004 to 2008, his applications states.
“These roles help me to understand the role of township government in our lives,” Sikora said.
He moved to the area in 1982 to accept a position with The Upjohn Company and retired from Pfizer seven years ago, he said. Michael Chapman and Scott Makohn also applied for the position.
Oshtemo Township Trustee Jeff Parsons resigned on June 13. Parsons was appointed and sworn in May 23 to serve on the board. The board accepted his resignation at the next meeting, June 13.
Parsons’ employer, Kalamazoo County, relayed to township officials it was a conflict of interest for him to serve as a trustee because the township has a contract with the county, Supervisor Cheri Bell said at the June 13 meeting.
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