John Schrauger speaks about his background during his interview with the Zeeland Township Board Feb. 17. Schrauger was appointed to serve as a trustee on the board until this November’s election.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A former medical sales representative and board member of a local sportsman’s club has been appointed to serve on the Zeeland Township Board.
John Shrauger, who has lived in the township since 1997, was appointed Feb. 17 to fill a trustee opening on the board until this November’s election. His appointment was approved on a 6-0 vote.
Shrauger’s appointment brings the Township Board back to its full complement of seven members for the first time since the end of last year, when Tom Oonk resigned as supervisor and Kate Kraak stepped down as clerk. Since the first of the year, former Trustee Kerri Bosma has been appointed supervisor to replace Oonk, creating a trustee opening, while Brian VanDussen was chosen to take Kraak’s place as clerk.
The board’s vote followed interviews with Shrauger and Brad DeWeerd, a site supervisor for Grandville-based Van Dyken Mechanical who has worked in the construction industry for the last 25 years.
A native of the northwest Lower Michigan community of Hart and graduate of Michigan State University, Shrauger spent 17 years as a medical sales representative for Merck & Co. He also has past experience in logistics and supply chain management. In his interview, Shrauger described his approach to decision making as “very process-driven.”
“I believe very strongly that there is always a root cause to be found. If we treat the symptoms or (focus on) opinion-based decision making, it may not always line up with the correct solution,” Shrauger said.
Shrauger serves on the board of the ChickOwa Sportsman Club on Ottogan Street, which offers its members the opportunity to practice all types of shooting sports.
DeWeerd has been a regular presence at recent Township Board and Planning Commission meetings, speaking out in opposition to the proposed Silver Maple solar project. He says the project will have a negative impact on local agriculture and the township’s rural character.
“Due to the issues going on in the township and surrounding areas, I felt now was the time to get involved and help the township stay true to its roots and values,” DeWeerd said.
During public comment later in the meeting, DeWeerd appealed to the board to educate itself on the Silver Maple project that is planned for more than 1,900 acres of farmland in Zeeland and Jamestown townships.
A series of public presentations by project developer RWE are planned for next month – March 17 at Evergreen Ministries in Jamestown Township and March 18-19 at the Zeeland Township Hall.
Sitting board members expressed their appreciation for Shrauger and DeWeerd for applying for the trustee position.
“It’s always a risk to put your name out there – it’s in public, nobody wants to come forward,” Trustee Dave Barry said. “You guys put a lot of time and effort and energy into your responses … I think both candidates would have done an excellent job.”
“It’s great having two good candidates to consider,” Trustee Scott Beute added. “You don’t know if anybody’s going to throw their name into the ring for this (office). It’s an interesting time, being part of local government.”
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A former medical sales representative and board member of a local sportsman’s club has been appointed to serve on the Zeeland Township Board.
John Shrauger, who has lived in the township since 1997, was appointed Feb. 17 to fill a trustee opening on the board until this November’s election. His appointment was approved on a 6-0 vote.
Shrauger’s appointment brings the Township Board back to its full complement of seven members for the first time since the end of last year, when Tom Oonk resigned as supervisor and Kate Kraak stepped down as clerk. Since the first of the year, former Trustee Kerri Bosma has been appointed supervisor to replace Oonk, creating a trustee opening, while Brian VanDussen was chosen to take Kraak’s place as clerk.
The board’s vote followed interviews with Shrauger and Brad DeWeerd, a site supervisor for Grandville-based Van Dyken Mechanical who has worked in the construction industry for the last 25 years.
A native of the northwest Lower Michigan community of Hart and graduate of Michigan State University, Shrauger spent 17 years as a medical sales representative for Merck & Co. He also has past experience in logistics and supply chain management. In his interview, Shrauger described his approach to decision making as “very process-driven.”
“I believe very strongly that there is always a root cause to be found. If we treat the symptoms or (focus on) opinion-based decision making, it may not always line up with the correct solution,” Shrauger said.
Shrauger serves on the board of the ChickOwa Sportsman Club on Ottogan Street, which offers its members the opportunity to practice all types of shooting sports.
DeWeerd has been a regular presence at recent Township Board and Planning Commission meetings, speaking out in opposition to the proposed Silver Maple solar project. He says the project will have a negative impact on local agriculture and the township’s rural character.
“Due to the issues going on in the township and surrounding areas, I felt now was the time to get involved and help the township stay true to its roots and values,” DeWeerd said.
During public comment later in the meeting, DeWeerd appealed to the board to educate itself on the Silver Maple project that is planned for more than 1,900 acres of farmland in Zeeland and Jamestown townships.
A series of public presentations by project developer RWE are planned for next month – March 17 at Evergreen Ministries in Jamestown Township and March 18-19 at the Zeeland Township Hall.
Sitting board members expressed their appreciation for Shrauger and DeWeerd for applying for the trustee position.
“It’s always a risk to put your name out there – it’s in public, nobody wants to come forward,” Trustee Dave Barry said. “You guys put a lot of time and effort and energy into your responses … I think both candidates would have done an excellent job.”
“It’s great having two good candidates to consider,” Trustee Scott Beute added. “You don’t know if anybody’s going to throw their name into the ring for this (office). It’s an interesting time, being part of local government.”
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