John Schipper has been appointed trustee for the Martin Township Board, filling the vacancy created last month by the death of Jim Brenner.

Schipper, a lifelong local resident, is former chief for the Martin Fire Department and he has served on the Planning Commission in the past.

He was selected among three applicants. The other two candidates were Margaret Smith, secretary of the Planning Commission, and Don Diekema, a member of the Board of Review and Zoning Board of Appeals, who was zoning enforcement administrator for the Village of Middleville.

Trustee Jack Sipple, who served with Brenner for almost three decades, said, “Of the three applicants, John Schipper has the most experience.”

Clerk Rachelle Smit said, “As far as who I think would be a good fit, I think it would be John.”

Supervisor Glenn Leep said, “John’s experience on the fire department and with the Planning Commission is an asset. That, and knowledge of what’s gone on in the past is valuable.”

Schipper will serve as a trustee at least until the November general election. He is eligible to file his candidacy for the August primary, but he declined, when asked about his party affiliation, declaring himself, at least for now, to be an independent.

The winner of the November general election will fill out the remaining two years of Brenner’s unexpired four-year term.