There are two candidates in the race for Republican nomination for Bertrand Township Treasurer. No Democrats have filed to run, meaning the winner of the Aug. 5 primary will likely be the winner in November. It is a two-year term.

DAVID KUHN (R)
Age: 57
Residence: Buchanan
Education: Bachelors of Science, Civil Engineering, Michigan State University, Masters of Business Administration, Indiana Wesleyan University
Occupation: Regional Supervisor of Gas Transmission and Measurement, Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
Political experience: Currently serving as Bertrand Township Treasurer
What makes you the best candidate for the job? I have worked hard to provide Bertrand Township residents with an efficient and timely handling of not only their property tax matters, but other issues that have come before the Township board since my appointment to the position in November of 2013.
What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life? During my 35 years at Northern Indiana Public Service Co. I have had responsibility for the planning, implementation and management of departmental budgeting, capital budgeting and workforce management. Additionally, I have been instrumental in developing job site and safety training manuals and on the job certification and training.
How do you think you can impact southwest Michigan’s future? I think Bertrand Township is a great place to live and work. I will do all that I can to not only preserve the rural nature of our township, but to encourage controlled tax base growth in our Industrial Park and commercially zoned properties.
What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? As Michigan continues to face fiscal challenges and state funds less available to maintain infrastructure, it will be a challenge for local municipalities to meet the necessary road, bridge and other infrastructure maintenance and public safety services, such as police, fire and ambulance service.
Other comments: I promise if elected to continue my service, that I will use my education, skills and work experience to benefit the township. I am committed to working together with fellow board members, township employees and residents in the best interest of all the citizens of Bertrand Township.

 MELISSA KARL (R)
Age: 37
Residence: Buchanan
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
Occupation: Currently work at Fapco, Buchanan
Political experience: Participates politically, and non-politically in the community
What makes you the best candidate? I see a direction that our township can take, and am very excited about it. I think that we are in the times of the people having more of an insight on what is going on in their township. Not everything can change overnight, but with everyone working on it together we can make it happen.
How do you think you can impact southwest Michigan’s future? I would like to see our township strengthen, and grow. I want to be given the chance to put my all into this, and have it my only focus because that is what the people of our township deserve. I would work on the practice of transparency so that everyone with an active interest in our township can have access to information that they may need.
What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? I am concerned with the direction of our township, and think that we can work on an understanding that can benefit us all. The greatest works in life may have been dreamt of in a day, but it took hours of labor to have them fulfilled.