Laketown Twp. Names New Treasurer, Opens Board Vacancy Application Process After Dewey Retirement

LAKETOWN TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, July 13, 2023) – A Lakeshore community has a governing vacancy to fill.

The search is on to replace Laketown Township Trustee Gary Dewey, who announced last week that he was retiring, effective at the end of July. The 76-year-old former educator with Holland Christian Schools had lived in the township for five decades. He began his service to the municipality as an election worker in 1988, and won election to the board four years later. Dewey also spent time on the township’s board of appeals and planning commission.

“About 65 to 70 percent of my life has been devoted to the township. It’s time to reduce my community commitments to spend more time with family and take care of my health. I must say, it’s been a pleasure to serve.” – Gary Dewey

According to Township Public Information Coordinator Jim Hayden, Dewey will still be representing the township on the Herrick District Library Board and the Graafschap Fire Department Board, along with participating in the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council’s Community Enhancement Program.

On Wednesday, the township board tabbed current trustee Jim Johnson, a five-year member of the board, to take over treasurer responsibilities from Dewey, and opened up the application process to fill the vacancy on the five-member governing panel. Those interested must be a township resident and a registered voter, with the deadline for applications on Friday evening, August 4^th. Applications are available at the township office (4338 Beeline Rd.) and online through the township’s website. The board will name a new trustee by September 13^th and will serve the rest of Dewey’s term, through November of 2024.