After 5 votes, Elmwood finally selects new township trustee.

Political decisions rarely come easy in Elmwood, something the newest member of the Township Board learned first hand just prior to his appointment.

Kyle Trevas, by all accounts a fresh and neutral voice in Elmwood government, sat through five 3-3 votes last Thursday before his name rose to the top of candidates to fill an opening on the 7-member Township Board.

The candidates who failed to be appointed all had a history with one side or the other in the deep divide that has fractured Elmwood decision-making for years, starting with the first candidate in Eric Saxon. He is a former planning commission member who successfully sued the township for revoking his boat slip at the township marina because of his involvement in political activities.

Township supervisor Derith Smith did not vote for Trevas, whose appointment was confirmed on a 5-1 vote, because she believed Saxon to be the best candidate.

“If we can’t agree, why go with the unknown? It places a heavy burden on someone …” she said.

That someone is Trevas, a 27-year-old recent law school graduate who has begun a private practice in Traverse City. He has lived in the Timberlee area for about a year, has never served in a political position, and indeed was just hoping to help his community when applying for a slew of township openings on the planning commission, marina committee, parks & recreation committee — and the township board.

“It had not been my goal to seek a political office,” said Trevas, when reached at his law practice off Lake Street in Traverse City earlier this week. “I had a desire to get involved with my community or my township.”

While he had heard of a division within Elmwood Township, he admits to being “naïve” about its severity prior to the meeting.

“There are always political issues — it’s political. At the meeting, the split became apparent,” he said.

All board members but Smith were apparently ready for a compromise candidate by the time Trevas’ name had come around at the 1¾-hour special meeting. Former trustee Jim O’Rourke, who had often sided with treasurer Debbie Street, clerk Connie Preston and trustee Terry Lautner, resigned earlier this year after accepting a position with the Transportation Security Administration. They might be considered a “conservative” block of voters, although in township government issues rarely fall within party platforms. Generally, the four have supported less stringent land use regulation, while Smith and trustees Paul Walter and Jeff Howell have opposed them in zoning issues.

But the divisions have cropped up in many issues, ranging from marina operations to choosing an auditor.

Before his appointment, all candidates were asked if they have made public statements that would bind them in the latest controversial issue in Elmwood — approval of an electrical substation application. The township board recently approved changes to its zoning ordinance that opponents want the board to enforce against the substation.

Trevas had not committed himself. “I have an open mind. It’s not a simple issue … I think a resolution is what we should be working on, and not causing more little lawsuits,” he said.

How neutral is Trevas? He has yet to choose a party affiliation, but said he might become a Democrat or a Republican to avoid taking on the difficult task of being elected as an “independent” — his first choice.

“I’d like to run as an independent. I was put in because I was an independent,” he said.

Candidates nominated for the trustee position but whose bids failed on 3-3 votes were Saxon, Nancy Doughty, Jack Kelly, Don Gallagher and Dave Darga.

Trevas was named on the sixth vote. Chuck Lessard was not nominated, while an eighth candidate did not attend the meeting.