Martin Township Clerk Carrie Coburn submitted her resignation Wednesday night to the Township Board, which accepted it with reluctance.

Coburn, who has served as clerk for the past 13 years, has accepted a full-time position in the payroll department for Allegan County Mental Health . He last day on the job will be Dec. 31.

Trustee Jack Sipple said, “I appreciate that she is willing to stay on until the end of the year to help train her successor.”

Allegan County Commissioner Don Black told her, “I remember when you first started working here. I take my hat off to you doing public service and raising a family.”

Coburn’s deputy, Debbie Gossman, also must step down because she is appointed by the clerk.

The board voted to send out notices of the job opening and set a deadline of 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, for applications.

Coburn’s appointed successor will serve at least until November 2016 and is eligible to seek election to the post in the August 2016 primary.

On another front, the Township Board has learned it has not lost the services of Assessor Sherry Burd after all. Burd took a job in the Upper Peninsula but will be able to spend necessary time to do assessing work for both Martin and Alamo townships.

Local officials said they were delighted to keep Burd, who has earned their praise over the last several years.

PHOTO: Carrie Coburn