Dorr Township Treasurer Jim Martin Wednesday evening announced there is a petition drive that has been launched to change the way members of Parks Commission are chosen.

Under current rules, the five members of the commission are elected on a non-partisan basis, but not one single candidate filed for a seat in the Aug. 4 primary election.

Furthermore, Parks Commission vacancies are frequent and Martin told those attending a political forum that Chris Gesink has been the only member of the current group who has served one full term. Gesink began serving in 2013, when several new members, including Christine Schwartz, had to be appointed to fill vacant seats,

Most recent members of the current commission have been Gesink, Denice Lawrence, Mark Muscarella and Bill Mallow. There was a vacancy caused by the resignation of Vicki Fifelski in January 2019.

Dorr Township Supervisor Jeff Miling, at last month’s regular board meeting, suggested putting together a petition to have Parks Commissioners appointed rather than elected, much like members of the Planning Commission.

Clerk Debbie Sewers noted that 450 signatures would be needed in order to get the issue on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.