Lifelong Old Mission Peninsula resident and sixth generation farmer Isaiah Wunsch appointed as supervisor of Peninsula Township | Jane Boursaw Photo
Lifelong Old Mission Peninsula resident and sixth generation farmer Isaiah Wunsch appointed as supervisor of Peninsula Township | Jane Boursaw Photo
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As mentioned last week, lifelong Old Mission Peninsula resident and farmer Rob Manigold resigned as Peninsula Township Supervisor, citing ongoing health issues. Rob has dedicated decades of service to the Township, including serving as supervisor multiple times.

At tonight’s meeting of the Township Board, Township Clerk Becky Chown thanked Rob for his years of service, which included helping to preserve thousands of acres of Peninsula Township land over the years.

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“As all of you know, our longtime supervisor, Rob Manigold, announced his resignation late last week, due to recent health concerns,” said Becky. “We thank him from the bottom of our hearts for his service to Peninsula Township over many decades, and wish him great health and happiness in the years ahead.”

She continued, “Rob, a fourth generation Peninsula farmer, has worked tirelessly, as many of you pointed out tonight, for decades to preserve the Peninsula’s unique natural resources and agricultural heritage. His efforts have helped preserve literally thousands of acres, everything from the Old Mission State Park to Kelley Park to Pelizzari Natural Area to the Bowers Harbor extension and many, many acres of farmland. His legacy will benefit this beloved place we all call home for every generation to come.

“I am proud to call him a neighbor, a mentor and a friend, and although I know this is a bit irregular, I would ask all of you to join me in a round of applause for Rob.”

Following Becky’s statement, those in attendance at the meeting gave Rob, who did not attend the meeting, a round of applause.

The Township Board then voted unanimously to appoint Township Trustee and sixth generation Peninsula farmer Isaiah Wunsch as the new supervisor.

As Becky explained, because fewer than two years remain before Township trustees and officers would run for election, the Township Board has the authority to appoint a supervisor, just like they had the authority to appoint a new treasurer when the previous treasurer, Brad Bickle, stepped down.

“It seems pretty fitting to me, having worked with Isaiah for the three and half years that I’ve been on this board,” said Becky. “I’ve worked closely with him on the citizens’ ag committee, and have watched his ceaseless efforts on the Planning Commission and the Township Board, particularly through some times when we’ve had to call a number of special meetings. Isaiah is a sixth generation Peninsula farmer, and I think it’s very fitting to pass the baton to him and have him help lead us forward in our land preservation efforts and ethic on this Peninsula.”

Because Isaiah stepped into the role during tonight’s meeting, he was sworn in by Becky before taking the seat previously occupied by Rob.

Those attending the meeting once again gave a round of applause, this time for the new supervisor.

After the meeting, Isaiah noted, “First, I want to express my gratitude to Rob Manigold for his leadership in our township, and for being a mentor and friend for the six years that we’ve served together. Second, I want to thank the community for your support and to let you know that I will be working hard to meet and exceed your expectations in the coming weeks and months.”

Isaiah graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, and also has a Master of Science in Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics from Michigan State University.

Lifelong Old Mission Peninsula resident and sixth generation farmer Isaiah Wunsch appointed as supervisor of Peninsula Township | Jane Boursaw Photo
Lifelong Old Mission Peninsula resident and sixth generation farmer Isaiah Wunsch appointed as supervisor of Peninsula Township | Jane Boursaw Photo


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A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb

Bay View Insurance of Traverse City Michigan

10 COMMENTS

  1. Good choice. He has excellent credentials; He represents 2% of the first graduating class at the Gerald R Ford school of public policy in Ann Arbor. Also a masters in Ag Econ from Michigan State
    You couldn’t have done better.

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