Changes have come fast for local government in Sturgis. Now, after a flurry of resignations, a new mayor is named, and special elections are scheduled.
Sturgis city government has been in turmoil for months after citizens voted to remove the city manager position from the local charter.
After that vote, two mayors and multiple council members have resigned, and an unrelated budget crunch is being felt on the council table.
Immediately following the vote to remove the city manager role, longtime Sturgis mayor Mark Carstensen resigned the role and was replaced by then council-member Angela Wilkerson.
Ultimately Wilkerson too would resign, saying in a statement she had been the target of quote “relentless and undermining attacks” that have done more harm than good for the community.
After the most resignation of Wilkerson, council president Kevin Forrester has assumed the role of acting mayor.
Forrester will see out the remainder of Wilkerson’s term, which expires in May.
Further, two council races have been announced to replace departed members. In Ward 1, the candidates vying for Mike Bachand’s now-open seat are Alex Usera and Ryan Klima.
In Ward 3, the seat once held by Don Lanpher is now an open contest. David Murtha, Mark Chaplin, Richelle Burche, and Janessa Dempsey have all petitioned for the job and will be on the ballot.
Special elections for the Council are scheduled for Jan. 7. Past that, newly assigned members will face a short term before regular city elections, scheduled for early April.