LAKETOWN TWP. — After interviewing a pair of candidates Wednesday, the Laketown Township Board will look to appoint a new clerk during a special meeting next week.

The board is seeking a replacement for Michelle Sall, who resigned in August to take a position with Laketown. Board members interviewed Amber Davis and Marty Hysen for the position Wednesday, Sept. 14, during a regular board meeting. 

Following the interviews, they voted to table discussions on an appointment until next week. 

“It seems like they’re both good people. Both have some interesting qualifications,” trustee Jim Johnson said prior to making a motion. “I would lean toward getting back together at a special meeting next week. I’d like to think it over a little longer, then get back together and make a decision.” 

More:Laketown Township clerk resigns to be township’s community development director

Johnson’s motion was supported by Treasurer Gary Dewey. Trustee Jim Delaney voted against the motion, preferring to decide at Wednesday’s meeting, but the vote passed.

“To our candidates, please do not take this as any indication other than we want to really give it some good thought and make sure we make a good decision,” Board Chair Linda Howell said. “I thought we’d do it tonight, but I respect my fellow board members here in wanting to take a minute to think it out.”

A special meeting is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the township hall to continue discussions and make an appointment. That date falls within the allowed window to appoint a new clerk, per state law. 

Primary responsibilities of the clerk include running and managing elections for the township. Howell asked both candidates if they thought the 2020 election was stolen or fairly decided, hitting on frequent, but unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud that continue nearly two years later. 

“I don’t know if it was stolen,” Davis said. “My take from watching the news on a lot of it was there’s a lot of room for improvement.” She mentioned “it would be nice” if something could be done to take care of deceased people on voter rolls. 

Subscribe:Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

“I still have a lot of questions I feel are unanswered,” Hysen said. When asked for specifics, he said “When you see movies that have been put together and put out there. Social media. You think ‘Gosh, is this real? Is this really happening? What do I believe?’ We’re so manipulated by that stuff, so it’s very hard, I feel, to follow stuff like that and have a good solid decision.” 

Both candidates said they have had no issues voting in Laketown Township.

Davis said she applied for the position due to an interest in politics and more free time to contribute with her children getting older. 

“I happen to have a real interest in politics in general,” Davis said. “As my kids are getting older…I have more time on my hands. I have a real interest, I follow the news and watch politics. Especially after the last election, there was a lot of controversy, I guess, and I think it’s important to get involved and stay involved if you can.”

Hysen said he saw the position as a chance to serve the township he’s lived in for most of his life.

“When I heard the position was opened up I thought ‘Well, now’s my chance to try to serve the community,’” Hysen said. “I like to serve. I’d like to get involved and learn a little more about what’s going on and see if there’s somewhere I can help out.”

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.