Fennville chooses two applicants to fill the shoes of Dennis Martin

FENNVILLE — The Fennville City Commission decided Monday, Dec. 16, who should be appointed to fill roles left open after the death of Dennis Martin on Nov. 17.

Martin, who served as mayor of Fennville from 1999-2002, rejoined the city commission for a four-year term in 2021. He was also a longtime member of the Fennville District Library Board.

The commission held a moment of silence for Martin at the beginning of the meeting.

Lone candidate David Lopez Jr. — a pastor at Apostolic Christian Center — was appointed to the Fennville City Commission. He is nephew of current mayor Carlos Lopez, who abstained from the vote.

Lopez Jr. said he’s looking to be more involved in Fennville, and looks forward to learning new things in the role.

More: Longtime commissioner, library director Dennis Martin dies at 74 in Fennville

“I can bring a fresh set of eyes,” he wrote in his application.

Prior to the vote, Lopez Jr. was asked to provide some of his background. He told the commission he’s originally from Houston, Texas, and moved to Fennville with his wife and children about four years ago.

“It wasn’t where I expected to be, it was where I was led to be,” Lopez said. “This is home.”

The motion to appoint Lopez Jr. passed 4-0 , with Carlos Lopez abstaining and commissioner Brenda Langston absent.

The appointment lasts through November 2025, at which time the seat will be up for election for a full four-year term.

Lopez Jr. is currently a member of Fennville’s Board of Review, which hears property tax appeals. He’ll have to resign that role to serve on the commission, according to City Administrator Katie Beemer. An appointment to fill the slot will be chosen during a future meeting.

Of note, former commissioner Jim Hayden also applied for the empty commission seat — but after he saw another person was interested in serving, according to Beemer, he noted the importance of having new voices in city government and withdrew.

The commission also appointed Becky Jamros, whose husband is commissioner John Jamros, to fill Martin’s seat on the Fennville District Library Board. Jamros abstained from the vote.

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Becky Jamros is a member of the Friends of the Fennville Library and has helped with millage campaigns and event organization, according to her application.

“I’m supportive of the Fennville District Library as a key component of our community’s services,” she wrote.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Fennville chooses applicants for commission, library board

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