Boards & commissions of Blendon Township Michigan

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS

Blendon Township has several boards and commissions that help facilitate the operations and legal aspects of township business.

Township Board

Planning Commission

Emergency Services Commission

Zoning Board of Appeals

Compensation Commission

Board of Review

Township Board
A five member board elected by the township electorate every 4 years. Each of the elected officers have duties and responsibilities specifically defined by Michigan law. The Board is charged with overseeing the proper operation of Township government and stewardship of the public resources. Meeting minutes are available for your review...click here to go to the meeting minutes page.

Supervisor - Larry VerHage

I have lived with my wife Barbara in Blendon Township for over thirty years where we raised our three children, Julia, Alex and Drew. I have a BA degree from Calvin College in Political Science and Economics; I studied law at the John Marshall Law School and studied finance and accounting at the Seidman Graduate School of Business, GVSU.

I served with the US Army from 1967 through 1969. As a co-owner of Ver Hage Motor Sales in Hudsonville, I operated and managed the automobile dealership for over thirty years. During that time, I served on several church, school and community boards.

I have been involved in Township government in various ways over the last twenty years. I served on the Blendon Township Board of Review, Blendon Township Zoning Board of Appeals, the Blendon Township Fire & Safety committee and I served as a trustee elected to the Blendon Township Board for thirteen years. I was elected Township Supervisor in 2007.

Clerk - Phil DeLange

Along with my wife Theresa, I live on a farm on Port Sheldon Road. We raised our five children there and we grow strawberries and raspberries for our livelihood.

After receiving degrees from Calvin College and the University of Michigan, I served Hudsonville Christian School for 32 years teaching in the 7^th to 9^th grades. I have also been active in my church family, helping in a variety of tasks.

In Blendon Township, before I was elected Township clerk in 2007, I worked for six years under Henry Hoffman�s supervision as a member of the Planning Commission.

Treasurer - Donald VanderKuyl

I was raised in Bauer and graduated from Hudsonville High School. From there I went on to Grand Valley State University and graduated with a degree in Political Science and a Minor in Economics. I also served four years in the United States Air Force with a tour of duty in the Middle East and I received an Honorable Discharge in 1971. My wife Sue and I have three grown sons Jeff, Ben and Jon. Sue and I are members at Georgetown Christian Reformed Church. We enjoy camping together.

I manage the Byron Insurance Agency. Byron Insurance sells personal and business insurance and I spend most of my time devoted to designing business insurance plans.

Before I was elected Township Treasurer in 2007, I served on the Planning Commission for 10 years and the Board of Review for 6 years.

Trustee - Paul Blauwkamp

I have lived in Blendon Township my whole life.

I own a greenhouse operation here in Blendon. I served as a volunteer firefighter for fifteen years.

Before I was elected as a Township Trustee in 2007, I served on the Board of Appeals for seven years. I continue to sit on the Planning Commission as I have done for the last four years.

Trustee - Bob Hop

Biographical information coming soon!

Township Planning Commission
A seven member panel nominated for appointment by the Township Supervisor and approved by the Township Board for 3 year terms, with the option of reappointment at the end of their terms. The responsibilities of the Planning Commission include the creation, proposal and maintenance of a master plan for the Township, proposing amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, recommending requests for changes in zoning and granting approval for special use permits. Meeting minutes are available for your review...click here to go to the meeting minutes page.

Mark Leathead, Chairman
Ron Wind
Rick Lamer
Paul Blauwkamp
Paul Potter
Jim Vanderveen
Dale Brown

Emergency Services Commission
A five member panel nominated for appointment by the Township Supervisor and approved by the Township Board for 6 year terms. This Commission directs the operations of the Township Fire Department and Emergency Services and makes recommendations regarding these public services to the Township Board. Meeting minutes are available for your review...click here to go to the meeting minutes page.

Steve Kraai
Dave Postma
Don VanderKuyl
Marvin Weinrich
David Fordan

Zoning Board of Appeals
A five member tribunal nominated for appointment by the Township Supervisor and approved by the Township Board for 3 year terms, with the option of reappointment at the end of their terms. The Zoning Board of Appeals is a body appointed to make a judgment of original jurisdiction on issues that involve the application and interpretation of the Township Zoning Ordinance and they may grant variances from the strict application of the ordinance. Appeals of the decisions made by the Zoning Board of Appeals must go directly to the Ottawa County Circuit Court.

Tom Fitzpatrick, Chairman
Maury Klinger
Bruce Costen
David Huizenga
Paul Blauwkamp

Compensation Commission
A five member panel nominated for appointment by the Township Supervisor and approved by the Township Board for 5 year terms. The Compensation Commission is charged with the responsibility of formulating resolutions that mandate the compensation of the elected Township Board members.

Laverne Haveman
Randall Mepplink
Gary DeJonge
Greg Golembiewski
Ronald Lubbers

Board of Review
A three member tribunal nominated for appointment by the Township Supervisor and approved by the Township Board for 2 year terms, with the option of reappointment at the end of their terms. The Board of Review is a body appointed to make a judgment or review of the work of the Township Assessor. They determine if property assessments are uniform and equitable. Appeals of the decisions made by the Board of Review go directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Chuck Koning, Chairman
Ronald Blouw
Janet Dekkinga