LAKETOWN TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jan. 11, 2025) – “Ryan, I am no longer interested in the Laketown position. Please let them know.”
With those words, Brandon Mersman pulled his name from consideration for the Laketown Township managerial opening. The current city manager in Bronson had been one of three finalists to emerge from a search that was augmented by former Holland City Manager Ryan Cotton, who now is part of a private consulting firm.
In November, the township’s search committee had agreed to recommend current Allegan County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bob Genetski, with a proposed contract of $110,000 annually. However, two of the board members had stumped for Mersman, and not only were they able to prevent Genetski from taking the position, but had asked if Mersman could be reconsidered.
Mersman, whose interest in the position had waned to the point that he didn’t want Laketown representatives coming to Bronson to watch him on the job there, was still the choice of the board during this past Wednesday’s meeting. With this decision, it remains to be seen if Genetski would still be interested in the post, or will the search for a new township manager begin again from scratch.
Al Meshkin, who had been the manger for 35 years, retired on January 3rd. Supervisor Steve Ringelberg is handling day-to-day office operations on an interim basis. The matter will be on the board’s January 15th meeting, at 6 PM in the Township Hall (4338 Beeline Rd.).
So the 3 newbies chew on crow and make Laketown Township a laughingstock. Why would Bob Genetski even consider accepting this position?