Despite suggestions of nepotism and cronyism by Trustee John Tuinstra, Jesse Miling was approved as permanent assistant maintenance worker for Dorr Township this summer.

Miling is the son of Dorr Township Supervisor, but maintenance employee Jarrod Simon told the board two previous assistants didn’t pan out, but Miling has been doing quality work.

Tuinstra suggested that because he is the son of the township supervisor, “it may affect the willingness (of Simon) to discipline… To me it’s too much like cronyism. It will reduce the level of trust from the public.”

Tuinstra also noted he didn’t say a word about when his daughter applied for an office job in the township.

“If Jesse Miling is that good, he can get another job somewhere else,” Tuinstra asserted.

Simon said Miling was the applicant for the job, which will be terminated at the end of the summer.

“He shows up on time, he does what I tell him,” Simon said. “It’s just a summer job. He really helps me out.”

The vote to hire Miling at $12 an hour was 5-1-1, with Tuinstra voting no and the supervisor abstaining.

PHOTO: Trustee John Tuinstra suggested the hire of Jesse Miling for a summer maintenance job showed “cronyism.”