Village closer to manager choice

Published 2:43 am Thursday, May 18, 2006

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - Following his second interview Monday evening, the Cassopolis Village Council voted to offer Kevin Gillette the position of interim village manager, contngent upon contractual agreement and background search.
Gillette was the former Lincoln Township supervisor in Berrien County from 1996 until 2004, when he failed to win the seat in the election. Recently he was the second choice to be Marcellus' first village manager.
He has served on the Berrien County Planning Commission and on the Michigan Township Associaiton's Board of Directors.
His wife, Lisa, works for Edgewater Bank. The couple have been married for 14 years.
The council members were all in agreement. Walter Malone was unable to attend.
Prior to the interview, a public hearing was held on the proposed expansion of the Industrial Development District 10, to include D. W. Aluminum L.L.C. properties and to consider a request for a 12-year Industrial Facilities Exemption.
Both items were approved at a special meeting, following the hearing.
D. W. Aluminum is in phase two of what the business plans include five expansions. They now have up to 100 employees, the majority of whom live in the area, according to Kelly Sherman, office manager. They still pay taxes, but with the abatement, a little less, she added.