The number of candidates for 57th District Judge in Allegan County was reduced from three to two over the weekend when Kevin Travis withdrew from the race.
Travis, Watson Township Supervisor, was apparently announced his departure over the weekend, according to fellow candidate Tim Slais. Slais appeared at Monday night’s meeting of the Wayland Township Board to introduce himself, just as so many candidates do routinely.
The other candidate in the August primary remains as Heidi Trutch Wolf of Allegan, a Wayland High School graduate. She and Slais seek to succeed retiring District Judge Joseph Skokelas.
When asked if Travis gave a reason, Slais simply said it’s his understanding Travis will speak to that in front of the Watson Township Board Thursday evening.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the Wayland Township Board:
- Approved raises of 3 percent for local officials, bringing their pay to $22,600 for Supervisor Roger VanVolkinburg, $25,800 for Treasurer Sue Kamyszek, $30725 for Clerk Bob Fryling and $187 per meeting each for Trustees Matt Miner and Jim Stein.
- Agreed to have a public hearing on the 2026-27 fiscal year budget at 6 p.m. Monday, March 2. The budget is anticipated to be nearly $2.5 million.
- Approved a proposal to pay members of the Fire Board a stipend of $100 per meeting and have the three officials meet quarterly.
- Learned from Wayland Fire Chief Jon Timmers that the department was busy in January, handling 116 calls, essentially split evenly between the township and the City of Wayland.
- Agreed to seek an appraisal for a piece of property on 128th Avenue that Matt Lagenbach has expressed interest in buying.
