The Montcalm County Election Commission has appointed temporary leaders to restore quorum on the Belvidere Township Board following a series of resignations. On March 15, 2024, Sheila Smith was named temporary clerk, while Nancy Snyder took on the role of temporary treasurer. This decision comes after the township board has faced significant instability, having undergone numerous leadership changes in recent years.
The Election Commission, which includes Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard, Treasurer JoAnne Vukin, and Probate Court Judge Charles Simon III, convened to address the urgent need for governance in Belvidere Township. Millard noted that this type of appointment is rare in her nearly 30 years as county clerk, highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding the board’s recent history.
Over the past three years, Belvidere Township has seen a turnover of four supervisors, seven clerks, two treasurers, and four trustees. Most notably, three officials resigned in just the past month, including Tim Anstett, who left his clerk position after only six weeks, and both Leigh Murray, the supervisor, and Yolanda Lane, the treasurer.
Trustee Wayne Watts, one of the two remaining members on the board, requested the Election Commission’s assistance in restoring a quorum. He and Trustee Brent Dietrich (who is Lane’s son) were the only officials left to make quorum possible. Following Watts’ request, Millard motioned for the appointments of Smith and Snyder, which the Commission approved with a unanimous vote of 3-0.
Sheila Smith previously served as the township clerk for nearly 30 years before resigning in early 2023. In the interim, she has worked as the early voting chairperson for Montcalm County. At a meeting in late November, Watts had attempted to appoint Smith as clerk after Anstett’s resignation, but the motion failed to pass. Snyder, who has extensive experience, served as the township treasurer for nine years and has also been involved with election operations in Belvidere Township.
After their appointments, Judge Simon humorously congratulated both women, saying, “Congratulations … I think.” Millard then swore in Smith and Snyder, officially reinstating them into their temporary roles.
The Belvidere Township Board is scheduled to meet at 18:00 on Tuesday. While Smith and Snyder’s appointments are currently temporary, the board will decide whether to retain them or seek other candidates since they now have a functioning quorum, although the supervisor position remains vacant.
Following the meeting, Smith expressed optimism for the future, stating, “We’re not going to dwell on the past, we’re going to focus on the future.” Snyder echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a shared commitment to moving forward in their roles.
