Rob Manigold Sworn in as Peninsula Township Supervisor

During a short Township Board meeting this morning, Rob Manigold was appointed and sworn in as the new Peninsula Township Supervisor. This comes on the heels of previous supervisor Pete Correia’s death over the weekend after a long battle with cancer.

Township Treasurer David Weatherholt chaired the meeting, with Trustee Mark Avery making the motion to appoint Manigold, seconded by Trustee Jill Byron.

Trustee Penny Rosi questioned whether the Michigan Townships Association had been consulted about the process. Weatherholt confirmed this, noting that an elected official’s term ends upon death, and anyone can be appointed after that.

Manigold will begin work on Monday, September 12, giving Correia’s family time to gather his things from his township office.

“I just want to say I feel so sorry about Pete and his family,” said Manigold. “I didn’t intend coming in this way, but I’m available and I’ll step up.”

Manigold is a 4th generation cherry farmer on the Old Mission Peninsula and held the position of township supervisor from 1988 to 2013. After winning the August 2 Primary Election, he was set to take office in November, but stepped into the role early following Correia’s death.

In addition to serving 25 years as Peninsula Township Supervisor, Manigold’s long list of accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University, 20 years on the Grand Traverse County Board of Public Works, previous chair for BATA, previous chair for the Grand Traverse County Solid Waste Committee, vice president of the Grand Traverse Fruit Growers Council, board member of the Grand Traverse County Farmland Preservation Committee, and volunteer at Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

During the campaign leading up to the election, Manigold said, “Next to my family, the most important thing to me is this community. I am passionate about getting back into office and making a difference.”