By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
With the death of long-time County Drain Commissioner Carl J. Parks III, Clare County is looking for someone to take his place.
According to MCL (Michigan Compiled Laws written by the state legislature) 201.35 and MCL 168.209, The County Clerk (Lori Mott), Prosecuting Attorney (Michelle Ambrozaitis) and Probate Judge (Marcy A. Klaus) are required to appoint when there is a vacancy in an elective or appointive county office.
Parks passed away March 3rd after a long battle with cancer, and just three days less than three months after the death of his wife Linda, also from cancer.
Parks was 69, and had been Clare County’s Drain Commissioner for the past 14 years.
He served Clare County for 35 and a half years; 19 years as deputy with BAYANET, the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, as a Detective Sergeant, and two and a half years in Dispatch before he was first elected Drain Commissioner.
Ambrozaitis said, “We had our first meeting today (March 21) to discuss the appointment of Drain Commissioner.”
She said the application deadline for the remainder of Parks term (through 2024) is April 14 at the end of the business day. Interviews will be held May 9, 10, and 11 beginning at 4:30 pm each day. “We have committee meetings scheduled for April 20th at 4:30 pm and May 1st at 5 pm.” (Official meeting notices are posted on the county website.)
Applicants must be qualified electors of Clare County; 18 years, registered to vote in Clare County, a resident of Clare County and of the State of Michigan and must have a valid driver’s license.
The Drain Commissioners duties include (in part – More on the County Website):
- the operation and maintenance of the county’s drains;’
- developing standards and design criteria for management of Storm water runoff in new developments;
- review and approve storm water management systems;
*maintain the court ordered lake levels; - inspect dams at lakes where lake levels are court ordered;
*serve on Inter-County Drainage Boards, Governmental Lake Boards; Clare County Emergenc y Preparedness Committee, and Board of Public Works;
*prepare an annual budget.
Anyone interested should submit in person a resume, cover letter, references and “county application” (available on the County website) by the end of the day April 14 to County Clerk Lori Mott, Clare County Clerk, 225 W. Main Street, PO Box 438, Harrison, Michigan,48625.