Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CASSOPOLIS — At a special meeting of the Cassopolis Village Council, Kimberle Danzy-Yeager was approved to fill the vacant trustee seat Monday night.

Danzy-Yeager, the lone applicant to fill the position left by Geradine Norwood-Sims, who resigned due to health issues, was interviewed briefly by the council before being approved by a unanimous vote.

Danzy-Yeager will be up for re-election this November to fill the term that expires in November 2022.

Danzy-Yeager said she wanted to give back to the community.

“I have lived here all my life. My family has been here all my life,” she said. “I figure they have given to me, and I want to give back. I want to be a big part of the community.”

Danzy-Yeager said she is happy with the direction the village is going, including a number of projects to enhance the look of the community.

“I think it is just wonderful,” she said. “I am looking forward to new businesses coming and things happening. It is amazing. I love it, and I want to be a part of it.”

Filling the trustee position was the lone item under new business.

The council tabled the contract renewal of Police Chief Brian LaValle until the next regular meeting, which will be July 13. The council is looking into the pros and cons of having the police chief on a contract or being a direct hire, according to village clerk Tonia Betty.

Monday night was the first in-person council meeting since the state of Michigan issued its stay-at-home order in March. The council had been meeting via zoom.

The next regular council meeting with begin at 6:30 p.m.