Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day in the City of Wayland, and though the ballot will have three candidates running without opposition, the exercise will be the last for Clerk Michelle Herman.
Herman Monday announced that she will retire after serving in the post for eleven and a half years. Her last day will be Friday, Dec. 13.
Herman came on board for the city in March 2008, succeeding Sharon Baumguard, who also retired.
Before coming to Wayland she was a specialist with Fidlar Election Equipment, selling election equipment and ballots throughout a 17-county region. She eventually left Fidlar to work as an on-call contractor and in 2007 assisted the Allegan County election coordinator in training local election clerks about uploading results to the county.
Herman, who was a business major at Saginaw Valley State College, lives in north Dorr with her husband, Bill. She grew up in the Bay City area.
The election will feature two incumbents, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel and Councilman Rick Mathis, running unopposed, as is newcomer Gary Smith, longtime deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department.
Lisa Banas, who served on the council for two, two-year terms, has decided against seeking re-election.
In other business, the council Monday night heard a presentation from Greg King, representing Lakeshore Advantage, a non-profit service that serves as a liaison between business and government to promote economic growth in Allegan and Ottawa counties. King said Lakeshore already has won investments from Laketon Township, Allegan Township, Salem Township, Gun Plain Township and Allegan County.
King said the goal of the service is to eliminate obstacles for businesses to grow.
“We’re looking forward to ensuring long-term economic health,” he told council.
However, Mathis said, “I have worked with Lakeshore Advantage as a business owner just south of Holland and all I got was a survey. I’m apprehensive”
King apologized and promised, “We’re trying to do better.”
The City Council took no action on joining the program, but promised to have discussions leading to a decision next year.
COVER PHOTO: Greg King from Lakeshore Advantage makes his presentation to the Wayland City Council.