WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
An unprecedented run ended Tuesday, as St. Joseph County commissioner John Dobberteen attended his last meeting as an elected member of the board.
His 20-year tenure on the county board is believed to be the longest in the county’s history. It will officially end Dec. 31, but Tuesday was the board’s final meeting of 2018.
A 59-year-old Sturgis resident, Dobberteen announced in March he would not seek re-election to an 11th, two-year term. He will be replaced by Ken Malone, who will oversee the district that comprises the city of Sturgis and Fawn River Township.
Prior to joining the county commission, Dobberteen spent eight years as a city commissioner in Sturgis.
Dobberteen said he leaves office proud of how the county’s Veterans Services Department has morphed into a solid agency under director Stoney Summey. In addition, he had similar praise for the county’s parks department and its director, Jaymes MacDonald.
With eight years served as a county commissioner, Al Balog in January will become dean of the board. He represents the city of Three Rivers, and Flowerfield and Fabius townships.
