By Gari Voss
The leadership of Cheshire Township in Allegan County has been extremely stable for years, but during the past year, the replacement of Donna Hetzel, an experienced clerk, brought a new clerk, Jodi Pinnell, and the expected uphill learning process. Then, as 2026 began, Supervisor Steve Revor decided to step down as of April 1, 2026. Beginning April 15th, Treasurer Ron Hale will hang up his computer and enjoy retirement.
The supervisor and, more recently, the treasurer positions have been posted. The township board must fill the positions within 45 days of when a resignation was approved. Those interested in being the Cheshire Township supervisor have submitted their resumes and will be interviewed and approved at an open meeting by trustees Ray Moored and Ken Horton, along with clerk Jodi Pinnell and treasurer Ron Hale. Since the treasurer resignation was just approved at the special March 31, 2026, meeting, those interviews will not be held until resumes are received.
For both of these positions, this is just an appointment. Anyone one chosen to fill these positions on a permanent basis will need to meet the deadlines required in the election process. That will include filing the proper paperwork for the primary election. Others may also be seeking the positions. The candidates who survive their party primary will move forward to the General Election in November. Each candidate will fulfill the original terms of Revor and Hale.
Cheshire Township has been under the leadership of Revor for 17 years. He has filled a variety of positions on boards including the Township Board as supervisor. Hale could not remember exactly when he agreed to serve on a committee, but it was back in the 70s. His terms as treasurer have taken him through a number of financial program changes.
As Supervisor Revor completed his final meeting on March 31st, he expressed his hope that communication will improve across the township and expressed that it will take some time to relax after donating 17 years to the township. Those who have attended meetings in person or via Zoom realize that there have been comments made by residents during the Public Comments that were not appropriate because they became personal jabs or demands rather than citing concerns or suggestions to improve living conditions in Cheshire Township. Lifelong resident Jim Garlock took time to thank Supervisor Revor for his years of service, and the things that had been accomplished under his leadership.
In a conversation with Treasurer Hale, he expressed that he looked forward to having an empty calendar to do things with family, friends, and hobbies.
Cheshire Township still struggles with ordinance problems, especially what might be considered “blight” but has been focused on extraneous vehicles and junk that brings unwanted vermin and disease. In addition, decisions need to be made regarding road improvements and finding the money to add pavement to the many miles of gravel roads while repairing paved township roads. Conversations need to be held with Allegan County Road Commission regarding primary roads and high traffic areas.
Eagle Lake is looking at a special assessment. Swan Lake wants to move forward with improvements that will reduce blue-green algae and any incidents of e-coli. The same concerns have been expressed by Duck Lake. The research data of the concerns have been shared, and possible remedies have been explored but require in-depth examination to determine next steps. Using grant funds, the Allegan Conservation District has conducted an examination of the Swan Creek Watershed that brought forth data indicating that ground water shows high levels of human elements rather than animal traces that some expected.
Other items on agendas over the past months have included establishing the Allegan County 2026 Eagle View Imagery partnership, short term rentals, dust control, the plowing of Schermerhorn Drive, the impact on the township financials when considering road improvements, and follow-up with the contractor that completed the improvements on the Town Hall kitchen.
