Volume 2, Issue 29 DECEMBER 13, 2024
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INSIDE THIS WEEK’S MIRROR: Event to raise funds for Hope Scarves
Truly Golden: 50 years for Supervisor Carl Fuehring By Sharon Hallack
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history. From numerous Silver Lake water studies The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent and sewer project proposals to a proposed townGolden Township Su- ship-funded fire departpervisor Carl Fuehring, ment and a short-term first elected to the Golden rental ordinance, to nuTownship Board in 1974, merous zoning decisions, updates, closed out a 50-year ten- infrastructure ure in November when and working through ishe was unseated in the sues related to the Silver November 5 election by Lake Sand Dunes and the Golden Township Zoning thousands of tourists who Administrator Rob Drap- visit the township annualer. Planning to serve one ly, he was quick to say the last term and then retire, position has never been Fuehring handled the about him. It was about defeat as he has handled the board, the people he many challenges over the was working with and past five decades, with what was best for Golden grace and positivity. “Rob Township. “I have great appre(Draper) is young and energetic, he’ll do a great job ciation for all the people for the community,” Fueh- I’ve served with,” he said. Naming many of them, ring said. The past 50 years have past and present, Fuehgiven Fuehring not only ring was quick to say many opportunities to something positive about lead but also the chance every one of them. “We’ve to become a part of local had excellent people.” “I have worked on the Golden Township Board with Carl since 1997. Carl always looked out for the interest of the whole township. He was easy to work with, (and) always listened to the opinions of others. He did a great job and there was never a dull moment when Carl was around. We will miss him,” Golden Township Treasurer Connie Cargill said,. When asked how he got involved on the township board in the first place, Fuehring smiled, “I was out driving around one night and noticed a
lot of cars at the Golden Township Hall, so I stopped in. It was their annual meeting. Eddie Johnson, my former high school teacher, was (township) clerk at the time. He is one of the top-class acts of anyone I’ve ever met. Shortly after that meeting, Johnson asked Fuehring to run for the board, and was voted in as a trustee in November of 1974. Because Golden Township has no term limits; as long as an individual is willing to run, they can be voted in for succeeding terms. “When Don Walsworth retired from Supervisor, I threw my hat in the ring and was voted in as Supervisor,” he said. Fuehring served two, four-year terms, 20162024. “Under Don’s tutelage, he gave me great guidance. My idea was to be a facilitator for other board members and work on township problems,” Fuehring said humbly. “Out of the past 50 years, I think he’s only missed six or seven meetings,” Fuehring’s wife Pat added. “He was always on duty. Unless we didn’t have phone service, he was willing to take phone calls or discuss township business anytime.” Fuehring recalled one meeting in particular. It was Sept. 10, 2001, and they were in California visiting family. They’d booked their return flight
so he could make it to a township board meeting the following day. His California relatives tried to convince him to stay, telling him he didn’t have to go. “But we flew home on Sept. 10 and woke up to 9/11. I don’t know if we held our regular meeting or not that night,” he reflected. “I worked with Carl for a long time, and whenever we talked about township issues, his first thought was, ‘What is best for Golden Township?’ He wanted Golden Township to be the best it could be and (be) a leader in Oceana County,” Golden Zoning Board of Appeals member Jake Whelpley said. “Things used to be simpler,” Fuehring said as he shared a fascinating little-known piece of Golden’s history, “The first thing that happened (once he got on the board) was the township treasurer, Mr. Reed—I can’t recall his first name—passed away, and no records could be found. Township money was kept in a lunchbox at the town hall. Esther Viterna was appointed to fill the remainder of his term. She was a real stickler for details, a real ‘cracker jack.’ She, along with the township supervisor, whose name I don’t recall either, someone from the State of Michigan, and someone from the bank, got together and figured out how much money they (the township) had. They drew a line in the sand and said, ‘This is where you stand now.’ Now we’ve got Connie Cargill, bookkeepers and auditors, and everything is computerized.” As far as Fuehring is concerned, the biggest township accomplish-
ment, during his 50 years on the board, was the passage of the township’s road millage. Back in the early 2000s, a group of farmers meeting over coffee at the Golden Inn started discussing the condition of the township’s roads. They petitioned the board, got it placed on the ballot, and it passed. “It’s passed every time since. We’ve spent millions on roads and are the envy of the county. Other supervisors have asked how we do it. It takes a group of people to push it,” he said. “The township has a road committee that works with the road commission. They’ve been a good partner.” Golden Township Clerk, Rachel Iteen, shared her personal recollections of working with Fuehring. “After Carl was elected as supervisor, he and his wife would host an annual township dinner party at their house. Carl and Pat were kind and serving, taking care of their guests in style. He would make Christmas special by bringing in poinsettias for all of us and a tin of special holiday cookies. He even thought of us on many of his trips, bringing back a gift for us who worked in the office. Carl didn’t bother beating around the bush, but would get right to the point; a trait I, at times, wish more people had. No need to guess
what he really thought. I have been blessed working with Carl and will miss the opportunity now that he has retired.” “I have worked with Carl for many years, and I loved working with him when he was on the planning commission. He was a no-nonsense decision-maker and was strong in his convictions. He would fight for what he felt was right, and I don’t recall ever seeing him back down on his position. He was unfiltered and said it like it was. He wasn’t worried about hurting anyone’s feelings and I loved that about him. He always had the good of the community in mind,” Golden Planning Commission Chair Chad Coker said. Trustee Doug Dykstra, who came on the board in 2022, thinking of his time with Fuehring and looking to the future of Golden Township, said, “He really cares about people. He listens, and for 50 years he’s given his heart and soul. Sometimes it’s hard for people to realize we work within some constraints. It’s not easy, but Carl was passionate about leaving the township better than when he came.” Though his public service has come to an end, Fuehring leaves behind a legacy for sure. He believes Golden Township, with its many great community leaders, will continue to serve its constituents and thrive long into the future. Golden Township meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the township hall located at 5527 W. Fox Road, Mears. All are welcome.