Council appoints Randy Kelley
Three candidates considered Monday night
Monday night’s Blissfield Village Council meeting was uncharacteristically crowded. Supporters of the three candidates for the open council trustee seat, along with concerned Blissfield residents, piled into the auditorium of the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library to see whom the councilmen would select to join their ranks. The candidates were former Village President Jae Guetschow, Planning Commission Chairman Randy Kelley, and Gary Sullivan, a teacher at Blissfield High School.
The three would-be trustees had been asked in late December to answer a series of questions by e-mail. They were then invited to attend the Jan. 10 meeting, where they would have the opportunity to present themselves to the council and the public.
The candidates’ prepared answers, which were distributed to everyone in attendance, were not the deciding factor. All three applicants seemed to feel more or less the same about the major issues the council currently faces. The councilmen expressed sincere respect for each applicant.
“Can’t they just rotate?” quipped trustee Art Weeber.
However, the council members raised some on-the-spot and personal questions that sparked serious conversation.
Ray Jones moved to nominate Guetschow for the position. George Brown seconded the motion, citing Guetschow’s important role in the DDA.
Gunter, however, expressed some concern about Guetschow’s popularity with the townspeople. “Because of the results of the election in November and not getting much feedback from the public, that makes the decision harder, because I don’t think we can get a good take on how people feel regarding whether they want a change or not.”
Al Navarro echoed Gunter’s apprehension. When it came to the vote, the council was split 50-50, with Gunter, Navarro and Burgermeister dissenting.
Sullivan seemed to take a cue from many federal politicians seeking election in a time of hardship and distrust of the establishment. He turned his lack of government experience into an advantage, offering a fresh perspective.
Sullivan’s no-strings-attached approach appealed especially to Burgermeister, who moved to appoint him. Navarro seconded the motion, but only to open it up to discussion.
Jones opened the discussion by voicing concern that Sullivan had not attended any town meetings since the trustee opening was announced.
Brown also called into question Sullivan’s interest in the position, wondering why Sullivan had not participated in the November election.
Guetschow and Kelley had been running for village president and 7th district commissioner, respectively, and had therefore been unable to run for the trustee position.
The council voted against Sullivan 5-1, with Burgermeister the lone supporter.
Kelley highlighted his unfailing presence at council meetings, his seven years on the planning commission, and his 34 years of service for the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department.
There was some concern as to whether his marriage to Blissfield Chief of Police Jane Kelley would present a conflict of interest. Kelley responded, “Jane and I have a very good relationship in regards to keeping our jobs separate from our home life. ... On the council I would remain objective. But if that issue came up, I would not have a problem abstaining from any votes that involved her or any major decisions that would involve the police department.”
Brown moved to appoint Kelley, seconded by Jones. The council then voted Kelley in 4-2,with Navarro and Burgermeister dissenting.
For James McClenathen’s full story on the meeting, please see the 1-12-11 edition of The Advance.
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