JACKSON — Ken Bressi was elected to serve as president of the Jackson Township Council when the governing body held its 168th annual reorganization meeting on July 5 in town hall.
The meeting marked the sixth annual reorganization of Jackson’s mayor and council form of government, which came into existence on July 1, 2006.
When nominations for council president were called for, Councilman Mike Kafton nominated Councilwoman Bobbie Rivere for the position, prompting Rivere to exclaim, “Michael, what are you doing?”
Rivere seconded the nomination, but when the roll was called Bressi, Councilman Scott Martin and Councilwoman Ann Updegrave voted no. Kafton and Rivere voted yes.
The 3-2 vote reflected a split on the council that has manifested itself on other issues of township business.
With Rivere’s nomination defeated, Martin nominated Bressi for the position of council president. The motion was seconded and Kafton, Rivere, Martin, Updegrave and Bressi voted yes.
Bressi will serve as council president through Dec. 31, 2012.
When nominations for council vice president were called for, Kafton nominated Rivere for the position, but Rivere declined the nomination.
Martin then nominated Updegrave for vice president and Kafton, Rivere, Bressi, Martin and Updegrave voted yes.
Updegrave will serve as council vice president through Dec. 31, 2012.
The next meetings of the council are set for July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23.