Seven Candidates Vie for Dexter Township Trustee Position

A vacancy on the Dexter Township Board of Trustees has piqued the interest of seven candidates, who will meet for one-on-one interviews before the board Tuesday.

The board is seeking to fill former Trustee Julie Knight's seat. after moving to the village of Dexter, which makes her ineligible to serve on the board.

The seven candidates are Stephen Feinman, Bill Gajewski, James LaVoie, Karen Nolte, Nina Doletzky Rackham, Trudi Whitley and Derek Wiseley.

Feinman, president of the , said he has extensive knowledge of local government because he has served as director of public works for two municipalities. He has also 30 years of experience in federal, state and local government contracting. Feinman is the director of Michigan SCORE, a counseling service for small business startups.

Gajewski, a resident of the township for 35 years, is vice chairman of the township’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Gajewski said that if given the opportunity, he would work to protect the township's water resources.

"I would be honored to serve the people of Dexter Township. Serving the public also means listening to the people and fulfilling their requests," Gajewski said in a letter to the board.

LaVoie has served as a trustee and treasurer of the board as well as vice commander of the . LaVoie said his experience will help with budget planning and fiscal responsibility on the board.

Nolte, who moved to the township four years ago, said she has a strong interest in local government and has been attending township meetings to "gain a better understanding of township issues." Nolte is a sales manager for a veterinary supply company and said she has experience in creating budgets, risk management and contract negotiation.

Rackham is the director of the Dexter Area Museum and a board member on the Dexter Area Historical Society and the Forest Lawn Cemetery board. She said her experience as a quality control manager will bring problem-solving and analytical skills to the board.

Whitley said she assisted in the development and construction of the Multi-Lake Sewer & Water system in the township and served as the township’s deputy treasurer. She said her strong background in finance and her experience working for the University of Michigan position her for a leadership role on the township board.

Wiseley is a member of the township’s Public Safety Advisory Committee and an Ann Arbor firefighter. He said in his cover letter that he’d like to serve the residents of the township in a broader capacity.

A special meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the to give the board a chance to interview candidates. The appointee will serve on the board through November 2012, when the entire board is up for election.