Applicants are being sought for the 2nd District Commissioner seat on the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners vacated last week by Gerald ‘Jerry’ Loudenslager.
In action Tuesday (July 3), county commissioners acknowledged, “with regret,” the resignation of Loudenslager who resigned from his county position – effective June 29 – through a letter addressed to County Clerk Pattie Bender and dated June 28. In the letter, Loudenslager said, “As you know I am running unopposed for the position of Nottawa Township Supervisor and I was notified today by the current Supervisor that he has submitted his letter of resignation due to illness. I fully expect to be appointed to that position as soon as the Township Board is legally able to do so. As you have pointed out to me, the two offices are incompatable (sic), consequently I must take this action.”
The appointment mentioned by Loudenslager in his letter subsequently occurred during a special meeting of the Nottawa Township Board on Friday (June 29). He was then sworn in to the office formerly held by his son, Kurt Loudenslager, effective July 1.
In his resignation letter, the elder Loudenslager said, “I have truly enjoyed my twenty years representing the residents of District # 2, which will soon cease to exist.” The “cease to exist” comment refers to the realignment that will take effect on January 1, 2013 when the number of county commission districts in St. Joseph County goes from the seven currently in place to five.
In conjunction with Loudenslager’s resignation and the need to fill the vacancy through the end of 2012, the board set a deadline of 4 p.m. Thursday, July 12 for current 2nd District constituents interested in the short-term appointment to submit applications to Bender’s office. Expectations are that county commissioners will conduct brief interviews of the candidates and make the appointment during their next regular meeting on Tuesday, July 17. According to Bender, the board has 30 days to fill the vacancy.
The current 2nd District includes the Townships of Colon, Leonidas and Nottawa, plus the southern third of Mendon Township.
To view Jerry Loudenslager’s resignation letter, click here.
To view a map showing the current St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Districts – in place through the end of 2012 – click here.
