Allegan County Board sworn-in, Jim Storey to remain board chair
ALLEGAN COUNTY — The newest iteration of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners took office Thursday, Jan. 5, when a slate of five commissioners — four returning and one new — took their oath of office during an organizational meeting.
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Prior to this year, the board consisted of seven members. That was reduced to five in a decision by the county’s apportionment committee in November 2021.
Incumbents Jim Storey, Dean Kapenga, Mark DeYoung and Gale Dugan were sworn in for another term, while newcomer Scott Beltman took the oath for the first time.
DeYoung commented on the new board configuration at the close of the meeting.
“While a lot of this new board sitting here looks very familiar, it’s very different,” he said. “We are missing three voices that were here for several years, and we have a new voice. It looks very familiar but it is very different. I appreciate the differences and I look forward to serving with all of you.”
Beltman said he also looks forward to working with his fellow commissioners.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity and a great team to work with,” he said. “I think we can really make some strides for the county.”
Following the oaths, the board selected leadership for the 2023-2024 calendar years. The board chair position runs through the end of the current term of commissioners, while the vice chair runs through the end of 2023.
Storey was elected board chair, a role he's held since 2019.
“To my colleagues, to the county staff president, thank you for your confidence in the past four years as chair. I look forward to serving you again in the next two years,” Storey said. “In the last few years, the progress we have made has been together.
“I look forward to working together with my colleagues and the residents of this county. In my opinion, we have an unparalleled opportunity to advance this county to the benefit of its citizens.”
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Kapenga was selected as vice chair.
“We want the betterment of the county in the worst way, and we’re going to give our all to it all,” Kapenga said. “We are looking forward to moving this county ahead to be positive, to work together.”
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Allegan County Board sworn-in, Jim Storey to remain board chair
