The leadership in Big Rapids Township is changing hands.

“All four of our trustees have decided not to run – Rich Jensen, Jim Toogood, Dave Hamlin, and John Zimmerman.”

That's Township Supervisor Bill Stanek who thanked the board members for their service during the final meeting of the current Township Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. There are five people running for the four open seats in the upcoming election and Stanek says they'll have to come up to speed pretty fast.

“We have five people running for four seats. Jerry Everett, Carman Bean, Travis Williams, Bob Maguire, and Tony Geib. I've given all five of them a copy of the budget, which we gotta approve at the next meeting. The next board meeting is the first Tuesday of December and the new board will take place then.”

Stanek says he's talked with three of the candidates so far and plans to talk with the other two beforehand.