Green presides over final meeting
Longtime county chairman’s exit brings ‘old school’ era to close
George Green presided over his final meeting as an Isabella County Commissioner on Tuesday night, bringing to a close a tenure that lasted more than two decades, including eight running the joint.
It brought an end to what you might otherwise called the county commission’s “old school” era.
“The Larry Beltinck, Dick Curtiss, David Ling, George Green era is over,” Green said after accepting a framed certificate from commission Vice Chairman Jim Horton, a 4th District Republican from Union Township. “I’m the last canteen out of this board from ’97.
“But this board will carry on.” Passing the baton to a next generation of commissioners was a theme he revisited from time to time during what was, according to the agenda supposed to be a report from County Administrator Margaret Mcavoy. When it came time to deliver her report, MCA
voy delivered a good-natured bait-and-switch, saying she was deferring her report until 2021 in favor of a send- off for Green.
The homage featured members of the community, who praised Green’s peoplecentric leadership, but also Ling, who himself opted to step away from the board in 2018 by not seeking reelection.
The friendship between Ling and Green came to define a county commission that functioned on a nonpartisan fashion. Both were elected to the county commission in 1996. Ling was a liberal Democratic university professor employed by Central Michigan University. Green, who represents District 1 and lives in Farwell, was a farmer who leaned heavily on tight fiscal stewardship.
“I was always risk averse and you were always to follow in the steps of Evel Knievel,” Ling said during his tribute. In response, Green put his hand to his forehead and laughed.
Green took the opportunity to rip partisanship in Lansing and Washington, saying he’d do away with the R, D and I if he could and just force people to focus on public service.
Later, he expounded on what that meant for the county commission.
“Sooner or later, you realize you’re there for the county,” he said.
Isabella County’s commission has long operated as if it’s a non-partisan board. While individual commissioners belong to either the Republican or Democratic parties, the board usually reaches decisions based on consensus built among the commissioners.
A sign of that was Green’s elevation to the chairmanship in 2012.
At the time, Green was one of two Republicans on the board and Ling was its chairman. Ling decided to not stand for another term as commission, and originally nominated fellow Democrat Frances Lichtman to replace him.
She declined the nomination and Green was instead named county commission by a unanimous vote of commissioners.
During the homage, speakers repeatedly credited Green for putting the people of Isabella County first. Green credited his mentorship by ex- county chairman Larry Beltinck as instilling in him that the county board was about public service, not personal or political enrichment.
Green leaves public service after 24 years. During his tenure, the county built the Isabella County Trial Court next to the administration building in downtown Mt. Pleasant. It also built the Commission on Aging building, 2200 S. Lincoln Road, west of Mt. Pleasant. It is also in the process of building a new jail on property purchased in August east of Mt. Pleasant.