Manager committee hitting the road for research

Group members making site visits before possible decision on Wednesday.

Candidates for Laketown Township manager wait to be introduced at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Standing from left are Laketown Township Trustee Patrick Dietrich, and candidates Brandon Mersman, Bob Genetski and Karen Sherwood. Residents are sitting in front.

The Laketown Township Manager Search Committee is continuing its investigation into its three candidates, planning site visits to their places of employment.

A recommendation to offer a contract to one of the applicants could happen at a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

The three finalists are Robert Genetski, Brandon Mersman and Karen Sherwood. They were chosen from 40 total applicants, narrowed down to 11 then five then to three.

Laketown Township Manager candidate Karen Sherwood, left, talks to a resident at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

Current Manager Al Meshkin announced in July his plans to retire Jan. 3, 2025. He has been manager for 35 years. The board hired the firm MGT in August for a cost of about $25,000 to conduct the search for his replacement.

Laketown Township Manager candidate Brandon Mersman, right, talks to resident Mary Jo Bertolino at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

In October, the township board established a Manager Search Committee consisting of the five-member township board plus three residents who won positions in the primary on Aug. 6 and the general election on Nov. 5. They are Steven Ringelberg who was elected supervisor, and Michael Koeman and Mark Timmerman who were elected trustees.

Laketown Township Manager candidate Bob Genetski, center, talks to residents at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

The committee spent more than 5 hours on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, with the candidates through a community meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., and second interviews.

The candidates also were taken on a tour of the township and met with staff members earlier in the day.

Committee members could not come to an agreement on which candidate to extend an offer to on Wednesday, agreeing to visit their workplaces for more information.

Outgoing Clerk Amber Davis and outgoing Trustee Patrick Dietrich will visit Genetski in Allegan where Genetski is Allegan County clerk.

Ringelberg and Timmerman will visit Mersman in Bronson, Mich., where Mersman is city manager.

Treasurer Jim Johnson and Koeman will visit Sherwood in Grand Haven Township where Sherwood is current assistant manager/human resources director.

Ryan Cotton of MGT will supply suggested questions to each team for their visits.

Candidates for Laketown Township manager wait talk to residents at a meet and greet at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Standing from left are candidates Brandon Mersman, Bob Genetski and Karen Sherwood. Residents are sitting in front.