Since the name of this blog is “Communities Count” I thought I would take the liberty of using this particular space to opine about the announcement that Grandville Mayor Jim Buck will be retiring at the end of his current term.

I have worked for the MML for over 8 years now and as President of the MML Foundation for the past four.  During this time I have come to know Mayor Buck in his role as Chair of our foundation board and I can say without hesitation that I consider him not only as a colleague and a friend but a mentor as well.  Over the course of his career, Mayor Buck has continually displayed the attributes of a what it means to be a public servant and to understand why communities count.

During his 29 years as mayor Jim has led the Grandville community through considerable change, including significant population growth, numerous park improvements, the Chicago Drive streetscape and large scale commercial development of the Rivertown Parkway corridor, including Rivertown Crossings Mall and the current CWD development. Throughout all of these changes, Mayor Buck’s primary focus was ensuring a high quality of life for Grandville residents.

And Jim has been an ardent supporter of not only Grandville, but for communities across our state and the MML.  In 2012, he was the recipient of one of the League’s highest honors – the Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award (view a press release about this honor). He is past chairman of the Michigan Municipal League Workers’ Compensation Fund, and former League board member. He also served on the Michigan Association of Mayors board for four years and was awarded an Michigan Municipal League’s Honorary Life Membership in 1998.

In a press release about his announcement, Buck stated, “I look back over the past 42 years with a lot of positive thoughts and a feeling of some major accomplishments.”  Jim, you have set a standard for future leaders of not only Grandville but for elected officials of all stripes to follow.  Somehow saying thank you for your service just doesn’t seem enough.  I look forward to continued work with you through our Foundation.