GAYLORD - Douglas Johnson is the longest serving county commissioner in the state of Michigan. He adjourned his final meeting as a commissioner this morning after a long time witnessing lots of ups and downs for the county.
“Humbling. Somewhat emotional. You know, I have mixed emotions because I’ve really enjoyed it,” shares Douglas Johnson, former Otsego County Commissioner Chair.
State representatives were there to wish Johnson well in his next chapter.
“I’m going to miss a lot of it. It’s just. Yeah, I’m surprised. I, I didn’t expect this many people would show up to say goodbye,” explains Johnson.
Douglas Johnson was first sworn in as an Otsego County Commissioner in January 1981.Johnson says he didn’t expect to be on the commission 44 years later, and as the Commission Chair.
“I had a I had a young family business, and I was trying to build a business course. So it was, a little bit of a challenge to, you know, with my time and stuff, but, with the support of my family, my life, my children stuff and my friends, we got through it,” he says.
And now he’s looking back on what he was best known for.
“That I’ve always tried to do what’s right for the people. And I’ve had times when I disagreed with something about somebody. But when they knew why. But, we then come together and they understand. So, you know, you have to do not what you think you want, but what do you think is best for the people you represent? And that’s what I’ve always tried to do.”
He also remembers the time his own father spoke up against the county taking over the Old State Hospital, which Johnson agreed with.
“he came to the board meeting and, spoke kind of negatively against it. And I voted for because I thought it was the best thing to do. But I’m really glad we did, because if you look back at what we’ve been able to develop out there, I mean, it was a state hospital, a couple of buildings. Now there’s a college up there, there’s a high school there, there’s a new football field there, there’s a health department there, there’s EMS there, there’s a community garden there.”
Johnson is not the only one looking back on his time there. Fellow County Commissioner Dana Wingo spoke about why she looks up to Johnson’s leadership.
“I wish he would stay longer because he would be a phenomenal mentor for me. For the short two years that I have been on the board, dog has been instrumental in, molding me... So without him, I wouldn’t have a portion of the knowledge,” she says.
Johnson is not only known for his hard work... But also, for his character.
“He has a big heart, and he is very committed to his county,” says Dana Wingo, Otsego County Commissioner.
