LAKETOWN TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jul. 17, 2025) – Laketown Township apparently isn’t going to wait another week before deciding who its operational leader will be.
In a Wednesday announcement, the board of trustees in that Lakeshore community unanimously chose Stephanie Fox as “the first candidate” to get a second interview for the vacant managerial position. The current executive assistant to Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, Fox was among four persons who took part in separate 30-minute public interviews with the governing panel this past Tuesday. In the statement, the township said that she answered “difficult questions…examined the township audit thoroughly, and showed a strong moral character while being humble.”
Two of the other three semifinalists – Park Township manager Howard Fink and Graafschap Fire Department Administrative Captain David Grumney – have been informed by township trustees that they are still being considered for the managerial position until it is officially filled. The other person interviewed on Tuesday, Lynne Ladner, a Michigander who was the former town manager in Ocean Ridge, Florida, is no longer in the running.
Fox is slated to participate in an 11 AM “community meet-and-greet” this coming Monday, July 21st, at the Graafschap Fire Department Station (4534 60th St.), share lunch with township staff members, tour the area in a Interurban bus, and go through a final public interview with the board at 6 PM in the Township Hall (4338 Beeline Rd.).
Laketown Township has been without a full-time manager since Al Meshkin retired in January. An earlier search for a successor proved to be unsuccessful, and the latest effort resulted in 45 applications for the position that will pay between $115,000 and $135,000 annually, not including benefits.
Supervisor Steven Ringelberg has been handling the managerial duties on an interim basis since Meshkin’s retirement.
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