By Sterling McGinn
Columbus Township is again facing an uncertain future.
A crucial member of the township team is stepping down on December 31. Clerk Jeff Anderson recently announced his resignation for health reasons and so far, there hasn’t been any serious interest in the position.
Michigan townships cannot function without a clerk, which maintains township records, keeps the voter registration file, and conducts elections.
“It’s incumbent on the supervisor, particularly, but also the board to try and fill that position as quickly as possible,” said Supervisor Roger Auble.
Columbus Township covers 143.16 miles of Luce County. The 2020 Census revealed 169 residents. Township officials state that number is now down to 158.
A little over two years ago, the board was at a major turning point. Jeannie and Kelley King, who served as supervisor and treasurer, did not seek reelection after 12 years of service.
Longtime Clerk Don Leech also did not want to seek reelection and resigned prior to the end of his term in hopes a Columbus resident would step up.
Trustee Emerson Smith did not seek reelection. The only board member who sought reelection was the late Ed Auge, but he, too, had to leave the board for health reasons. He has since passed.
At that time, they discussion about merging with another township if interested parties were not secured, though that was a last resort.
Once again, current officials say that merging would also be a last resort.
If a merge were to occur, another township in Luce County would have to agree to merge with or annex the other. Also, a percentage of the property owners could petition the county commissioners, who would vote on the merge, or five percent of the township residents could sign a petition for the county commissioners to okay a township merge to take place. But voters in both townships would have to approve the merge.
When Leech announced his resignation in the spring of 2024, several months before his term expired, Anderson expressed interest in becoming the clerk. He was appointed in April of 2024, and he ran unopposed in the November 2024 election.
After hearing that the township and the community of McMillan were in trouble, several residents came forward to serve and keep the township running. Auble was elected supervisor; Dan Schultz ran for treasurer; Laura Generou was elected as a trustee. Ed Stielstra is also currently serving as a trustee.
Auble said the relatively new board has made some positive improvements in one year. Those include much needed building updates and improvements to other areas of the township.
Both Anderson and Auble do not want to see the township merge into one of the other townships, and both said that is why they became involved in the first place.
“I am dealing with some health issues, and if that were not the case, I would be staying,” Anderson said. “It’s a good group of people to work with.”
“[Clerk] is a demanding position,” Auble said. “There is a pretty specific skill set that is necessary to effectively function in that position.” Auble said clerk duties require average about 25-30 hours of work a week.
To be appointed as the township clerk, applicants must be residents of Columbus Township and be a registered voter.
Anderson’s last day in office is December 31.
“We have 30 days to fill the position, and if no one comes forward, then the county clerk within 45 days has to call a special election,” Auble said. “All the expenses involved in the election would be the responsibility of the township, and we certainly do not want that to happen.”
