Van Doren elected 5-4 to chair Lenawee County Commission

In a special organizational meeting Friday, Jan. 6, the Lenawee County Commission installed two new members and elected a new chair and vice-chair, with recently elected commissioner Jim Van Doren narrowly chosen as chair in a 5-4 vote. He replaces commissioner David Stimpson, a Tecumseh attorney who has worked on the board in that capacity for the past four years. Stimpson has been a commissioner since 2005 representing District 1, which encompasses the City of Tecumseh and Tecumseh Township. 
Once all commissioners had been sworn in at the start of the meeting, County Administrator Kim Murphy, who presided over the meeting until after the votes had been cast, asked for nominations for chair. Commissioner Nancy Jenkins-Arno nominated Van Doren, who will represent the west side of Adrian Township as well as Franklin, Clinton and Macon Townships, and Commissioner Dustin Krasny seconded the nomination. 
When Murphy asked if there were any other nominations, Commissioner Ralph Tillotson nominated Stimpson, but Stimpson declined the nomination. 
During the roll call vote, those with yes votes included commissioners Terry Collins, Van Doren, Jenkins-Arno, Krasny, and newly elected commissioner Kevon Martis. Those opposed to Van Doren as chair were commissioners Dawn Bales, Karol “KZ” Bolton, Tillotson, and Stimpson. 
Van Doren nominated Krasny as vice chair and Jenkins-Arno seconded the nomination. All votes mirrored the votes cast for chair and Krasny won 5-4. 
After taking the chair position, Van Doren thanked those in attendance. “I think the people want to be heard and not just listened to, so the most important part is that people elected us to bring this commission back together, and that’s what we’re here for. I’m looking forward to 2023 to bring the group together in a consensus basis to move ahead for the people of Lenawee County. We look forward to working with all of you and all of the good people of this county in Lenawee,” he said.