BERRIEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE RETIRING PUBLIC SERVANTS

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
ST. JOSEPH – Berrien County Commissioners formally recognized two individuals and an area educational institution at their weekly meeting last week. The group presented honorary resolutions to

outgoing District 12 County Commissioner Michael Majerek, longtime county employee Amy Young, and Andrews University. Majerek and Young were in attendance to receive their honorary resolutions while the resolution honoring Andrews will be given to them at a later date.
Majerek has represented the 12th District since 2017. That district covers the city of Niles as well as a small portion of Niles Township. “Whereas, Michael not only served on the Board of Commissioners, he represented Berrien County on various boards and committees including but not limited to the Mental Health Authority, the Substance Use Disorder Oversight Policy Board, the Niles Area Transportation Study, and the Brownfield Authority,” the resolution stated.
The resolution also highlighted some of the significant milestones the County has achieved during his tenure, including the development of one of the first Public Defenders’ Offices in the State of Michigan and the Broadband Initiative to bring broadband service to every resident in the County.
The resolution also mentioned the transformation of the Road Commission into a more efficient County Department, and the replacement of the Silver Beach County Park playground equipment with the majority of the funding coming through donation and grants. The resolution concluded with an acknowledgement of Majerek giving freely of his time and efforts to represent his constituents.
Majerek will be leaving the board later this month after losing his bid for re-election earlier this year. He was defeated in the August Republican primary by current County Clerk Sharon Tyler. Tyler announced earlier this year that she was retiring as clerk then won the November general election.
Fellow County Commissioner Robert Harrison read the honorary resolution for Majerek who then received a standing ovation from his fellow commissioners and audience members. Majerek’s last meeting will be next Thursday as the county board will not meet on Dec. 26.
Young is retiring from the county clerk’s office after 28 years of service. She began her career in 1996 as a Deputy County Clerk. She worked tirelessly to learn and improve the procedures in the vital records department and also worked offsite as the Niles Deputy Branch Clerk for a number of years.
The resolution noted that she committed herself to producing a high quality of work and would always go the extra mile to be responsive to the customer’s needs.

“Whereas, she has provided exemplary services to the citizens of Berrien County for the last 28 years,” the resolution stated. It continued, “Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved that the Berrien County Board of Commissioners thanks Amy Young for being a true asset to the citizens of Berrien County and wishes her a retirement filled with happiness and good heath.”
Andrews University was honored on their sesquicentennial anniversary. The university began as Battle Creek College in 1874 which moved to Berrien Springs in 1901 and became Andrews in 1960. The university is known for its diversity with students from over 100 countries attending.
“Whereas, Andrews University is ranked the #1 private school in Michigan and is among the top 15 for Christian Universities, and whereas, as a leader in ethnic diversity among national universities, Andrews University annually has students who come to study from over 100 countries resulting in a far-reaching impact,” the resolution stated.
“Whereas, Andrews University makes world changers through its premier academic programs, high-impact research, and transformative experiences, and whereas, this year makes 150 years of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement,” the resolution continued.
“Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved that the Berrien County Board of Commissioners congratulates Andrews University on their sesquicentennial, acknowledges the positive impact they are making, and thanks them for choosing Berrien County as their home,” the resolution concluded.