CASSOPOLIS — Support for a Cass County Road Commission appointment that will be decided Dec. 2 was already sorting itself out at Thursday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting.

Commissioners were instructed to choose five out of 13 candidates who filed petitions to run for a six-year seat to submit to Chairman Robert Ziliak, R-Niles.

The five favored candidates will be interviewed.

The opening is from Robert Powers of Marcellus, who served 30 years on the board and will be retiring when his term ends Dec. 31.

Candidates include: Larry Davis, Marcellus; G. Edward Smith, Cassopolis; Gary Weaver, Dowagiac; Curtis Fralick, Edwardsburg; Hal Davis, Niles; Scott Davis, Cassopolis; Steve Russell, Niles; David Hildebrecht, Niles; Gerald Delchambre, Cassopolis; Julius DeCocq, Union; Richard Peck, Edwardsburg; Harry Shaffer, Cassopolis; and Pete Fournier, Jones.

Weaver is a former chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

Davis, a former Howard Township supervisor, is Dowagiac Union Schools assistant superintendent for business and operations.

Powers addressed commissioners Nov. 15 to throw his support behind “two really good candidates, in my opinion. This is kind of unusual, but I’m going to do it anyway because of the 30 years experience I’ve had. Harry Shaffer and Pete Fournier have been coming to our meetings for a year. They would be a good addition to our board. By attending, they got a good insight into what we do and why we do it. Either one of those men would be a good candidate for my position.”

Shaffer “didn’t know I was going to support him,” said Commissioner Bill Steele, D-Calvin Township, “so I think this is a bit of a surprise. I’ve dealt with him in several projects over a 20-year period and he’s a quality person.”

Vice Chairman Ron Francis, R-Cassopolis, also recommended Shaffer, “a constituent and personal friend. I know him to be very astute and an accomplished business person. I think he would make an excellent addition to that board.”

Commissioner David Taylor, D-Edwardsburg, spoke on behalf of Peck.

“He has not attended meetings,” Taylor acknowledged, “because he has just moved here recently from Illinois, but he has a long background in building roads and engineering.”

Commissioner Gordon Bickel, R-Porter Township, the board’s Road Commission liaison, “highly recommended” Fournier and Shaffer.

Commissioner Charlie Arnold, R-Cassopolis, commented, “I’m supporting Pete Fournier. His engineering skills are next to none, and I’d like to say his problem-solving skills are next to none. He touches briefly on his role in the Porter-Newberg Fire Department. That was a very bitter dispute that has gone on well over 10 years. Pete, in about a year, won trust and respect from both departments, got them to the table and has been instrumental in solving that problem. That shows me he’s a problem-solver. He’s a quiet, unassuming guy, but he gets things done.”