NEW REGISTER OF DEEDS APPOINTED FOR BERRIEN COUNTY – LORA FREEHLING

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent

New officials are on board in both Berrien and Cass counties after recent appointments.

Berrien County officials announced the appointment of Lora Freehling as the new Register of Deeds. Freehling succeeds Lori Jarvis who died in a car accident in June. Freehling will serve the remainder of the current term which ends Dec. 31, 2020. She starts her new duties Oct. 15.

Freehling, a Stevensville resident, has been working as the administrative assistant to Berrien County Trial Judge Donna Howard. She is a Berrien County native and graduated from River Valley High School and Oakland University.

Freehling was selected by the Register of Deeds Appointment Committee comprised of the Presiding Probate Judge, Mabel J. Mayfield, County Clerk, Sharon Tyler, and Prosecuting Attorney, Michael Sepic, who are authorized by statute to fill the vacancy. It was a unanimous decision.

The Committee received 23 applications and interviewed four candidates on Sept. 17.  Others interviewed were Stephanie Bean of St. Joseph, Lee Lull of Sawyer, and Rhonda Rockhill of Benton Harbor. Rockhill had been serving as the Chief Deputy Register of Deeds since late June.

In Cass County, another vacancy was filled recently after the untimely death of County Treasurer Linda Pruett in late July. Hope Anderson of Cassopolis was the unanimous choice of the Cass County Treasurer Appointment Committee.

The Committee, comprised of Probate Judge Susan L. Dobrich, County Clerk Monica McMichael, and Prosecuting Attorney Victor Fitz, is authorized by statute to fill the vacancy. Anderson will serve the remainder of Pruett’s term which expires Dec. 31, 2020. She was sworn in as the new treasurer last Friday.

Anderson graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Business Administration. Ms. Anderson has a proven ability in

implementing innovative solutions and has a strong administration background. Hope and her husband, Pete Anderson, live in Calvin Township, Cass County.

Committee members received seven applications, including Ms. Anderson’s, and interviewed all seven candidates Sept. 19. Each of them individually were excellent candidates, and the committee was pleased with the quality and number of the applicants.

It is the committee’s desire to see the other six candidates continued effort in the community and encourage them to continue to seek public service.

Back in Berrien County, County Prosecutor Michael Sepic reported two promotions last week after his Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Jennifer Smith, was selected to be a Berrien County Trial Judge.

Sepic has promoted Chief Trial Attorney Steven Pierangeli to fill Smith’s position as Chief Assistant Prosecutor. He has also promoted Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Taylor to be the new Chief Trial Attorney.

Pierangeli, was born and raised in Southfield, Michigan, received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his law degree from the University of Colorado.  He lives in St. Joseph with his wife, Miranda, and four children.

After serving 2 years as an assistant district attorney in Colorado, he has been in the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office since 2004, the last 4 and ½ years of which as Chief Trial Attorney.

Taylor in a native of Buchanan and received his undergraduate degree from DePauw University and his law degree from the Valparaiso University.  Taylor has been an assistant prosecuting attorney in Berrien County for over 21 years.  He resides in St. Joseph with his wife, Sally, and 2 children.

Both lawyers have significant and varied trial experience. Their new duties will include increased responsibility for managing staff and participating in management decisions.