Twp. mourns loss of longtime Clerk

Board has 45 days to fill position

 

GOODLAND TWP. — With heavy hearts and some still in disbelief, the Goodland Twp. board met Tuesday, October 8 to carry on with business.

“Mavis would have wanted us to move on with business,” Supervisor Ron Cischke said prior to the meeting. “She would have had my hide if we’d called it off. There was still business to do that shouldn’t wait until next month’s meeting.”

Mavis Roy, the longtime Clerk for the township, passed away very unexpectedly on October 5. She was 74.

She had served as Clerk for 20 years and ran a tight ship, according to Cischke.

“She was well organized and got things done. She didn’t back down from anything. She was a wonderful addition to the board and she will be greatly missed.”

During the meeting, the chair to the left of Cischke, where Roy sat during her tenure as Clerk, was empty. A symbolic reminder of her passing.

Cischke told the audience the board was not going to discuss the Clerk position at the meeting, rather they would take their time to grieve the loss of Roy and consult with county and state officials on how to fill the opening.

Roy is listed on the ballot for Goodland Twp. Clerk, and although she may well receive votes, the township will have to take formal action on filling the post.

Cischke said in the meantime, Deputy Clerk Amy Nolin has agreed to step in and help out with township business.

Nolin is already familiar with many of the tasks Roy did as the two have worked side by side for several years. Nolin has been the recording secretary for township meetings.

“I told Ron I would fill in for the short term and see what happens,” Nolin said. “The board will have to decide how they want to fill the position. It’s my understanding in talking with several people, they have 45 days to name a new Clerk.”

Just a few days after Roy’s passing, Township officials worked with financial auditors in conducting the annual audit and also began making phone calls on what they needed to do about the Clerk’s role.

“It’s been a very busy and stressful time,” said Nolin who was extremely close to Roy. “Truthfully, like many other people, I feel like I am walking around in shock and disbelief. I keep waiting for Mavis to walk through those doors. She’s just supposed to be here, in the office, working beside me.”

In the immediate future, Nolin is facing preparation for the upcoming General Election, including absentee ballots and early voting.

“There is a pretty good group of helpers for the election,” Nolin said. The board agreed at their October meeting to have Michelle Noble and Ryan Nolin (Amy’s husband) to work with election matters when she is not in the office.

“I have a regular fulltime job and they are working with me on what hours I can have at the township hall,” she explained.

Ryan and Michelle know what to do for resident’s absentee ballots and that kind of stuff, so they can help when I am not able to be here.”

In other township news, the board discussed what to do with their remaining ARPA funds that have to be designated by the end of this year.

After paying costs of recent projects, Treasurer Louis Parsch said there is roughly between $10,000 to $15,000 leftover.

The board voted to use the remaining funds for the restoration project of the old schoolhouse.