Gary Dewey says goodbye to Laketown Township government after 34 years

Evan Sasiela, The Holland Sentinel
·2 min read
After more than three decades in Laketown Township government, Gary Dewey has decided to focus on his family.
After more than three decades in Laketown Township government, Gary Dewey has decided to focus on his family.

LAKETOWN TWP. — After more than three decades in Laketown Township government, Gary Dewey has decided to focus on his family.

Dewey will retire from the Laketown Township Board of Trustees effective July 31, according to a news release. The board appointed trustee Jim Johnson to take Dewey’s place as treasurer effective Aug. 1.

Dewey, 76, has lived in Allegan County for 72 years and in Laketown Township for more than 50 years. He informed the board in early July he would retire at the end of the month.

“About 65 to 70 percent of my life has been devoted to the township,” Dewey said. “It’s time to reduce my community commitments to spend more time with family and take care of my health.”

Dewey worked at Holland Christian Schools for 35 years, including as a science teacher and middle school principal. He was an election worker and served on the Laketown Township Parks Commission from 1988-1991. He ran for the board in 1992.

He's been there ever since, also serving on the Laketown Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

Dewey hopes residents will work positively together for the good of the community in his absence.

“I believe strongly in civil discourse,” Dewey said. “We can sit down and have discussions and remain friends. We can’t be pulled apart by pettiness. We should be less judgmental and be willing to be good listeners.”

Laketown Township board members thanked Dewey on Wednesday, July 12, for decades of service. Meshkin hugged him after the meeting.

“I have worked with Gary for over 30 years,” Meshkin wrote in the release. “He has always worked and voted in the best interest of the township, never in self-interest. I hope future board members follow his example. He will be missed on the township board.”

Dewey will continue serving as the township representative to the Herrick District Library Board, the Graafschap Fire Department Board and the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council Community Enhancement Program, which allocates grants to support local projects.

“As long as the board wants me to serve, I’ll serve,” Dewey said.

The board is looking to fill the vacant position. Applications should be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at 4338 Beeline Road in Holland or via email at office@laketowntwp.org.

Application forms are available at laketowntwp.org. A letter of interest and/or a resume is also recommended. Applicants must be a registered voter and a resident of Laketown Township. Trustees are paid $5,000 per year.

The board will choose a new trustee by Sept. 13 and the selected person will serve through November 2024.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Gary Dewey says goodbye to Laketown Township government after 34 years