During a special virtual meeting Tuesday, Commissioners interviewed a total of three candidates.
County documents had previously stated that there would be five interviews, but two candidates had withdrawn their applications, leaving the decision between applicants Thom Miller, Monteze Morales and Tammy Taylor.
A candidate would need six votes to pass, and Morales made out with a total of seven after being nominated.
Morales, a Democrat, says she has been a resident of Kalamazoo County for almost 40 years. She currently works for Kalamazoo Valley Community College as a program manager for Kalamazoo Promise services.
She also works for the Public Housing Commission as Vice Chair. She cited her experience with this and other boards, such as OutFront Kalamazoo, as qualifiers for the position.
KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) Recent explosions at a tent city in Kalamazoo have reignited concerns about the homeless, especially with extreme cold headed our way.
Twice in one week, several propane tanks erupted at the encampment off Mills St. Efforts to address homelessness were discussed at both the City and County Board meetings this week. City Manager Jim Ritsema says agencies have created other shelter opportunities and the city has been providing some basic services at the encampments. They also bought the Knights Inn Motel and reopened it as a shelter, but Ritsema says more is needed.
“We are calling on our partners at the county and across our community to help us devise a suitable plan that allows the most vulnerable in our community to live in an environment that is safe and warm.”