By By JOHN EBY / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS -- Mike Raab was the overwhelming choice of Cass County commissioners Thursday who appointed the Porter Township Republican to succeed Larry Malsch as District 5 commissioner.
Malsch, a Dowagiac city councilman for eight years, served seven years as a county commissioner before resigning last month to become Porter Township supervisor.
A county resident for more than 50 years, Raab said the job "involves what I value in life. The most important things in my life are my wife, my family and where I live. I feel very fortunate to live in Cass County, with its farms, lakes, parks and rural atmosphere."
His work on township and county projects includes blood drives, Adopt-A-Highway, Community Policing, Haunted Woods and lake clean-up days. He was elected and served as chairman of both Shavehead Lake associations.
Raab has served six years with Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare System and is its board's current vice chair.
Raab, husband of former Porter Township supervisor Pat Raab, racked up nine votes. Democrats Debbie Johnson, Minnie Warren and David Taylor voted for Rick Russwurm. Republican Bruce Butchbaker supported Gordon Bickel Sr.