PM Township supervisor stepping down

Jerry Bleau

PM Township supervisor stepping down

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Pere Marquette Township Supervisor Jerry Bleau has announced he is resigning from the position effective Oct. 1, 2023.

In a statement dated Sept. 18, Bleau stated, “Township Board of Trustees and Pere Marquette Charter Township residents, due to an unexpected turn in my life, I am announcing my retirement from the position of township supervisor and building official effective Oct. 1, 2023.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve community,”

Bleau was appointed township supervisor in October, 2019, following the resignation of Paul Keson, who became the executive director of Ludington Mass Transit Authority. Bleau was selected by the township Board of Trustees after it interviewed six candidates. He was then elected in 2020.

Bleau has been the subject of a recall attempt with a special election scheduled for Nov. 7. His opponents have accused him of lacking leadership, demonstrating unethical business practices, and abusing his power as supervisor. His wife, Karie Bleau, is the elected township treasurer and also faces recall in November.

Bleau was being challenged by Kelly Smith, the township’s former parks and recreation manager. According to Mason County Clerk Cheryl Kelly, the ballots for the November election have already been printed, therefore Bleau’s name will appear on the ballot.