Ward 4 City Commissioner Mike Sherzer has resigned, effective at 5 p.m. today.
Sherzer said previously that he would not run for re-election this year, as he is moving to be closer to family. The timing of his resignation comes with the sale of his home in Battle Creek, which makes him ineligible to continue serving.
Because the Nov. 7 election is more than 60 days away, the remaining City Commissioners must appoint a replacement to serve in Ward 4 through the election.
Though the commission voted to appoint previous Ward 4 commissioner and former mayor John Godfrey to take the position, should Sherzer resign, commissioners will vote on a resolution at the Sept. 5 regular meeting to formally accept Sherzer’s resignation and appoint Godfrey, consistent with the prior vote. Godfrey is expected to attend that meeting and be sworn in following the vote.
The appointed commissioner will serve only until Nov. 14, when the newly-elected Ward 4 commissioner will be sworn in. Commissioners selected Godfrey because of his commission experience and the desire not to appoint a current candidate, to avoid any potential advantage at election time.
In the meantime, Ward 4 constituents can contact Mayor Dave Walters, or any of the at-large commissioners, or contact the City Manager’s Office for assistance with any questions or concerns. Commissioner contact information is on the city’s website, battlecreekmi.gov, under the I Want To… tab, in the Contact section. Reach the City Manager’s Office at 269-966-3378.
Ward 4 is on the east side of Goguac Lake, roughly from Goguac Street to I-94, with I-194 as the eastern border. Sherzer was first elected in 2013. Godfrey last served on the commission from 1999 to 2009, serving as mayor twice.