SHILOH — Shiloh Village Council is currently seeking to fill two seats left vacant since the beginning of April.
Former councilmembers Christine Donnersbach and Sharon Malone submitted their resignations to Shiloh Mayor Paul Currier on April 8.
During Tuesday’s village council meeting, Currier formally announced the resignations — which councilmembers unanimously approved.
Currier said both Donnersbach and Malone cited health reasons for their respective departures from village council.
Shiloh is accepting letters of interest until April 30 for the open seats — which continue until Jan. 1, 2026. Those interested are instructed to submit their letter at the Municipal Building, 13 W. Main St.
A notice has also been posted on the Village of Shiloh Facebook page.
Former councilmember interested in open seat
The village began seeking letters of interest April 12 and has received two applicants as of Tuesday evening.
With two vacant seats, Shiloh Village Council currently consists of Marilyn Hall, Ryan Click, Brent Wagers and Lisa Mireles.
Former councilmember Kalynn Means, who was present at Tuesday’s meeting, confirmed she’s one of the two submissions.
Means’ service on village council began in February 2023 before a defeat in the November election. She graduated from Plymouth High School in 1984 and has lived in Shiloh her entire life.
Limiting high-rising utility costs and advocating for her community were two reasons she sought re-election, Means told Richland Source in October 2023.
“I think we need to come together and make this little village as great as it can be,” she said. “If we can all work together, it can happen.“
‘Everybody needs to be present’
During discussion Tuesday, Hall motioned to approve Means to an open seat. The motion was seconded — but ultimately failed when put to a vote.
Hall, the lone vote in favor of the motion, explained her reasoning was due to Means’ previous experience and interest to seek re-election last year.
She added concerns regarding a possible lack of quorum for the next village council meeting caused her to propose immediate action.
“The individual that paid their money to run should be given that opportunity — the first opportunity,” she said. “They were interested in being on council, paid their money and got their signatures, so I agree with that.”
Several councilmembers explained their disagreement with Hall had nothing to do with feelings towards Means.
Click said he’d like to see all applicants in attendance before making a decision.
“I have nothing against Kate at all,” he said. “If we’re going to do this, I think everybody (applicants) needs to be present in order to do it.”
Water tower demo completed smoothly
Last week, Iseler Demolition Inc. from Port Hope, Mich., successfully demolished a water tower near Mechanics Street.
Work was completed swiftly and safely, shared Bryan VerBurg, Shiloh village administrator, during Tuesday’s meeting.
“The old water tower was torn down with no problems and no incidents,” he said. “We hate to see it go — but it had to be gone.”
VerBurg presented village council with the revised 1951 blueprints for the tower — which was originally constructed in 1935.
Councilmembers voted unanimously to donate the blueprints to the Shiloh Area Historical Society for preservation.
(Below is an image of the former water tower site near Mechanics Street (left) and the tower’s original blueprints (right), revised in 1951. Credit: Hayden Gray)
