By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - Without any opposition or need for the secret ballot allowed once each year, Commissioner Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township, was re-elected Tuesday to his second term chairing the Cass County Board of Commissioners.
The board also awarded a second stint as vice chairman to Commissioner Ron Francis, R-Cassopolis, although as promised in December, Commissioner David Taylor, D-Edwardsburg, campaigned for that position.
Commissioner Johnie Rodebush, D-Howard Township, nominated Taylor, who was also supported by Minnie Warren and Gordon Bickel, one of four new commissioners on the 15-member board, along with John Cureton of Dowagiac, Dale Lowe of Niles and Cathy Goodenough of Marcellus, who was sworn in by her father, Dowagiac City Clerk James Snow, as her father-in-law, R. Riley Goodenough, former Board of Commissioners chairman, watched from the audience.
Other oaths of office were administered by new County Clerk-Register Barb Wilson. Commissioner Carl Higley Sr., R-Edwardsburg, entered Francis' name into contention. "I'm honored by your vote," Francis said. Commissioner Alan Northrop missed the reorganizational meeting, making the vice chairman margin 10-4.
Commissioner Terri Kitchen, R-Silver Creek Township, again nominated Wagel, 64, a retired Dowagiac Union High School guidance counselor.
Wagel is in his 10th year as a commissioner in two stints on the board dating back to 1989. He also chairs the county Board of Public Works.
County Administrator Terry Proctor said Chairman Wagel and Commissioner Carl Higley Sr., R-Edwardsburg, volunteered to serve on the committee organizing the April 14 intergovernmental forum. He invited other commissioners - particularly the four new representatives - to get involved if they wished.