By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The sudden death of Berrien County Commissioner Larry Clymer has left his seat empty with the upcoming election still months away.
After determining the procedure for filling the seat for District 13 in the interim, Chairman Richard Bartz is accepting applications from interested candidates.
The deadline to apply for those interested in the position, who live in District 13, is Thursday, July 3.
They must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old and live in the district, which is mainly in Niles with a small portion of Niles Township, Bartz said.
The board will review the applications and "if there are not too many, will probably interview all, he said.
They have an evening meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 10, but may schedule a special meeting for this process.
According to the procedures, they have 30 days after the seat is open to make an appointment. Since July 17 would be one day too late, a decision may be made at the July 10th meeting.
Those interested may send a resume and letter of intent to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, 701 Main St., Saint Joseph, MI 49085.
Two candidates had already expressed their desire to run for the District 13 seat, following Clymer's decline to seek a seventh term.
John Klimek, a Republican and Scott Clark, a Democrat, both of Niles, will be on the ballot for the August primary, with the general election in November.
"They can apply, but we probably won't be appointing one of these two," Bartz added.
Clymer was also a member of the local revenue sharing board for the Pokagon Native American band.
Commissioner Andrew Vavra of District 10 (Three Oaks) has been recommended to fill the seat.