Van Buren CountyServices and Information Center

Judge Kathleen M. Brickley

Judge David J. DiStefano

Judge Jeffrey J. Dufon

Staff:

Court Administrator
Frank Hardester
Phone: 269-657-8200 ext. 2340
Fax: 269-657-2613
Email: HardesterF@vbco.org
 
Judicial Secretary/Assignment Clerk
Criminal Division
Melissa Williams
Phone:  269-657-8200 ext. 2345
E-mail:  WilliamsM@vbco.org
 
Judicial Secretary/Assignment Clerk
Family Division
Mary Schmitt
Phone:  269-657-8200 ext. 2342
E-mail:  schmittm@vbco.org
 
Judicial Secretary/ Civil Scheduling / ADR Clerk
Civil Division
Kelly Cowgill
Phone:  269-657-8200 ext. 2213
E-mail:  cowgillk@vbco.org

Court Services Coordinator
Heidi Winkler
Phone:  269-657-8200 ext. 2211
E-mail:  winklerh@vbco.org

Law Clerk

Phone: 269-657-8200 ext. 2396
E-mail:

LynnAnn E. Bullard, Friend of the Court

Sheriff:
Daniel Abbott

Central Dispatch:
Tim McGee

Fire Chiefs Association:
Ron Wise
Derek Babcock

Police Chiefs Association:
Decatur - Chief David McLeese

Emergency Medical Services:
Dennis Reynolds

Board of Commissioner:
Mike Toth
Donald Hanson

Michigan State Police Paw Paw:
Dale Heinz

Office of Domestic Preparedness:
Al Svilpe

Public Sector
Sid Shank
Randall Peat

Township Supervisor Representative:
Ross Stein - South Haven

John Faul
Administrator

Anna Cerven
Administrative Services Coordinator

Norman Frazier
Director of Employee Services

Ryan Post
Director of Financial Services

VAN BUREN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 

District #1:
Gail Patterson-Gladney
Ph: (269) 598-0366 (cell)
(county) gladneyg@vbco.org
   
District #2:  
Kurt Doroh
Ph: (269) 906-0194 (cell)
(county) dorohk@vbco.org
   
District #3:  
Richard Godfrey, Chairperson 
Ph:  (269) 251-8342 (cell)
(county) godfreyr@vbco.org

District #4:  
Mike Chappell, Vice Chair
Ph: (269)-208-1526(cell)
(county) chappellm@vbco.org

District #5:  
Randall Peat 
Ph: (269) 598-9252(cell)
(county) Peatr@vbco.org 

District #6: 
Donald Hanson  
Ph:  269.760-9366 (cell)
Fax: 674-8780 
(county) hansond@vbco.org

District #7:  
Paul Schincariol
Ph:  269.271.9463 (cell)
(county) schincariolp@vbco.org

Scheduled Regular Meetings Will Be Posted

Jan Petersen
Term Expires: 06/01/18

Lisa Phillips
Term Expires: 06/01/18

Sarah Moyer-Cale
Term Expires: 06/01/18

Jeff Mills
Term Expires: 06/01/18

(vacancy)
Term Expires: 06/01/20

Zach Morris
Term Expires: 06/01/20

Kate Hozier
Term Expires: 06/01/19

Cindy Compton
Term Expires: 06/01/19

Gail Patterson-Gladney
Board of Commissioners Representative

Tommy Simpson Zoning Administrator and Code Enforcement Officer
PO Box 33
Decatur, MI  49045
Leave a Message ..(269) 286-3058

Building, Mechanical & Electrical Inspector Permits issued through
State of Michigan, Contact Zoning Administrator for information

Jeff Hall
Director

Ken Shipley
Mechanical Contractor

Lance Goodrode
Assistant HVAC & Plumbing Technician

Chris Garus
Electrician

Rick McDougal
Maintenance Worker

Bobbie Gale
Shop Support Worker

Donna Pullins
Custodian

Marsha Smith
Custodian

Terri Garrison
Custodian

Nicole Woger
Custodian

Heather Shipley
Custodian

Vincent Cabras
Term Expires: 01/01/18

Robert Linderman
Term Expires:01/01/18

Donald Hanson
Board Representative

Richard Freestone
Board Representative

Charles Norton
Director

• County Prosecuting Attorney
• County Clerk
• County Treasurer
• Republican Party County Chair
• Democratic Party County Chair

This board meets after every decennial census to reapportion the County Board of Commission Districts into districts of substantially equal population.

Wayne Nelson, Chair 
Term expires 12/31/2019

Stephen Vicenzi, Vice Chair
Automatic member as County Chief Financial Officer

Karen Makay, Treasurer
Automatic member as County Treasurer

Paul DeYoung, Member
Term expires 12/31/2018

Robert Linderman, Member
Term expires 12/31/2020

From I-94 take the Paw Paw Exit (exit 60). Turn north and proceed ½ mile. We are directly behind the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department and jail on the right.

Suzie Roehm
County Clerk

Joe Parman
Drain Commissioner

Peter Van Dop, P.E., P.S.
Engineer/Chief Deputy

Georgia Genis
Deputy Drain Commissioner

Randy Counterman

Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control & Drain Maint. Supervisor

Honorable David Distefano,
Judge of Probate

Suzie Roehm,
County Clerk

Karen Makay,
County Clerk

Bill Lawson, (Chair) - Farmer representative

Land Preservation Board web page

Dave Foerster, (Vice Chair) - Landowner representative
Term Expires 05-01-19

Ted Major - Farmer representative
Term Expires 05-01-19

Bill VanTassel - Elected Official (Almena Twp.) representative
Term Expires 05-01-19

Kurt Doroh - Realtor/Developer representative
Term Expires 05-01-20

Julie Pioch, (Treasurer) - Environmental representative
Term Expires 05-01-20

AJ Brucks (Secretary) - Conservation District representative
Term Expires 05-01-20

Jeff Radtke/Scott Cedarquist - VBC Planning Commission representative
Term Expires 05-01-20

Kim Thompson- Elected Official (Lawrence Twp.) representative
Term Expires 05-01-19

Richard Godfrey - Board of Commissioners representative

Pam Stermer
Term Expires: 04/01/21

Tony Hemenway
Term Expires: 04/01/21

Vacant
Term Expires: 04/01/12

Jeff Radtke
Term Expires: 04/01/20

Barbara Rose
Term Expires: 04/01/20

Jan Petersen
Term Expires: 04/01/20

Scott Cedarquist
Term Expires: 04/01/22

Celinda Gilmore
Term Expires: 04/01/22

Ray Martin
Term Expires: 04/01/22


Board Representative

Kurt Doroh, Commissioner

County Staff

Ted Thar, Secretary

 Directions: From I-94 take the Paw Paw Exit (exit 60). Turn north and proceed ½ mile. Take right after Sheriffs Building (Paw Paw St.), then proceed to Administration & Land Services Building on left.

Paul W. De Young
Register of Deeds

Jill A. Arnold
Chief Deputy Register

Pam Cerven
Deputy Register

EMERGENCY -        911
Administration,      (269) 657-2006
Detective Division,  (269) 657-7711
Youth/Comm. Serv. (269) 657-6077
Jail Division,           (269) 657-2171

Undersheriff Kevin Conklin  can be reached at (269) 2006 Ext. 3991  or email ConklinK@vbco.org

Donald Gilchrist
County Surveyor

Charles Lossie
Deputy County Surveyor

Dallas Pierce
Chief of Parties

Trisha Nesbitt
Treasurer

Tania Sheeley-Myers
Chief Deputy

Evie Longshore
Deputy Treasurer

Kelle Dillon
Deputy Treasurer

Administration,
(269) 621-4665

Jeffrey L. Elliott,
Administrator/Health Officer
Extension 337

Frederick Johansen,
Medical Director
Extension 318

Jason Tompkins,
Deputy Medical Director/Medical, Examiner

Satellite Offices of Van Buren

Human Services Building - East
801 Hazen Street, Suite B
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-5596 or (269) 657-6052
(269) 657-5866 Fax

1007 Wells/Lower Level
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-8421
(269) 637-6517 Fax

We are open to the public: Sunday 10-3, Monday thru Wednesday 10-5, Thursday 10-2, Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-3.  The office is closed on Federal Holidays, and occasionally due to other circumstances.  Please call ahead to make sure we are open.

Deputy Huston
Animal Control Officer

Deputy Everhart
Animal Control Officer

Kasey Murphy
Director

Ashley Taylor
Kennel Staff

 Find us on Facebook at Friends of Van Buren County Animal Control. 

Randy Peat
Term Expires: 02/13/16

James J. Warner
Term Expires: 02/13/16

Linda Stange
Term Expires: 02/13/15

Joe Miller
Term Expires: 02/13/20

Rodney Dragicievich
Term Expires: 02/13/20

Ken Ratzlaff
Term Expires: 02/13/18

Dave DiStefano
Term Expires: 02/13/18

Jerry Campbell
Term Expires: 02/13/15

Commissioner Susan Hammond
Board Representative

Mae Linderman (D)
Term Expires: 11/01/13

Vacant (R)
Term Expires: 11/01/13

Rose Mitchell (D)
Term Expires: 11/01/15

Nancy Thomas (R)
Term Expires: 11/01/15

Tim Riemer,
(Board)
Term Expires: 11/01/11

Sherry Coady,
(Board)
Term Expires:11/01/13

Emma Jean Stambeck
(State FIA Director)
Term Expires: 11/01/09

Donald Hanson
Board Representative

Pastor W.C. Askew Sr.,
Term Expires: 05/22/21

Thomas J. Palenick,
Term Expires: 05/22/21

Robert Jackson,
Term Expires: 04/30/19

Directions: From I-94 take the Paw Paw Exit (exit 60). Turn north and proceed ½ mile. Take right after Sheriffs Building, proceed to Administration & Land Services Building on left.

Staff:

Ted Thar,  Director -  GIS Coordinator/Planning Commission Secretary/Web Master/Passport Agent

Lisa Boer, Land Services Specialist:  Remonumentation Grant Administrator/Passport Facility Manager

Walter Elsner, Land Management Specialist/House Numbering Specialist/GIS Specialist/Passport Agent 

Mike Mosley
Term Expires: 03/31/15

Carol Sjoquist
Term Expires: 03/31/16

Dave Selent
Term Expires: 03/31/16

Catherine Gant
Term Expires: 03/31/16

Susan Barnes
Term Expires: 03/31/15

Tom Coles
Term Expires: 03/31/16

Charles Randall
Term Expires: 03/31/17

Katie Bolton
Term Expires: 03/31/17

Commissioner Mike Toth
Board Representative

Julie Pioch, Director

Mark Longstroth, District Horticulture Agent

Mike Stanton, Extension Agriculture Agent

Vacant, Extension Educator

Beth Clawson, Resources Recovery Agent

Melissa Franklin, Receptionist/ Secretary

Janean Danca, Planning Coordinator/ Secretary

Janice Rajzer,4-H Youth Agent

Judge David J. DiStefano

Probate Register
Brandy Antonowitsch

Judicial Secretary / Civil Scheduling / ADR Clerk 
Kelly Cowgill
Phone:  (269) 657-8200 ext. 2213
E-mail:  cowgillk@vbco.org

Deputy Register
 Vacant

Clerks
Linda Tomlinson
Sandy Sexton

Paw Paw Office
212 E. Paw Paw Street, Ste. 102
Paw Paw, MI 49079
269-657-8236
269-657-8239 Victim Rights
269-657-8238 Fax

South Haven Office
1007 E. Wells Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-5177
269-639-4519 Fax

Hours M-F 8:30-12 & 1-5:00

STAFF:

Prosecuting Attorney

Michael Bedford

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Keith Robinson

Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys:

Jay Blair, APA

   unpictured
Kati Hoekstra, APA

Eric Jenkins, APA

Kirk Metzger, APA

______________________________________

Maggie Hostetler
Victim Rights Coordinator
Victim Rights  P#: 269-657-8239
victimrights@vbco.org

vacant
Victim Rights Assistant

Taye Wheeler
Office Coordinator/Legal Secretary

Ashley James
Legal Secretary

Heidi Keister
Legal Secretary

Lisa Oliver
Legal Secretary

Anthony Dacoba, Director,
Transportation Coordinator

Laurie D Schlipp, Chief Operations Officer

Bob Henderson, Operations Supervisor

Tami Naber, Administrative Support

Donald Hanson
Term Expires: 01/01/18

Beth Griffin
Term Expires: 01/01/18

Alternate - Judy Janssen

Richard Freestone
Board Representative

Don Gilchrist, Peer Group

Paul DeYoung, Register of Deeds

Sarah Moyer-Cale, City Representative

Lisa Boer, Planning & Land Management

William Kays,Township Supervisor

Larry Hummel, Road Commission

John McNeil, Attorney at Law

Ted Thar, GIS/Land Management

Karen Makay, Treasurer

Edward VanderVries, Assessor

Kurt Doroh, Board Representative

Board of County Road Commissioners
and Board of Public Works of Van Buren County:

Gregory H. Kinney, Chairman
Phone: 269-423-2302

Doug Burleson, Vice-Chairman
Phone: 269-674-8011

W.C. Askew, Sr., Member
Phone: 269-944-9634

Reginald ("Rick") D. Boze, Member
Phone: 269-674-8011

Geoff Moffat, Member
Phone: 269-217-5371

Road Commission Managing Director:

Daniel F. Bishop
DanBishop@vbcrc.org
Extension 222

Road Commission Managers:

Barry Anttila (BarryAnttila@vbcrc.org)
Highway Engineer
Extension 224

Greg Brucks (GregBrucks@vbcrc.org)
Operations Director
Extension 227

Linnea Rader (LinneaRader@vbcrc.org)
Finance & HR Director
Extension 233

Gary Rohacs (GaryRohacs@vbcrc.org) 
Fleet & Facilities Superintendent
Extension 292

Road Commission Regular Staff/Employees:

Melissa Fetkenhier (VBCRC@vbcrc.org)
Permit Clerk/Secretary Receptionist
Extension 0

Jill Brien (JillBrien@vbcrc.org)
Administrative Assistant-Board Secretary
Extension 236

Alyssa McAndrew (AlyssaMcAndrew@vbcrc.org)
Communications/Project Specialist

Accounting Staff:

Shawna Kelley (ShawnaKelley@vbcrc.org)
Accounting Clerk/Road Projects
Extension 235

Kristina Longcore
(KristinaLongcore@vbcrc.org) 
Accounting Clerk/Safety Coordinator
Extension 248

Marla Salmon
(MarlaSalmon@vbcrc.org)
Accounting Clerk-Payroll
Extension 234

Engineering-Permit Staff:

Alison (AJ) Brucks (AJBrucks@vbcrc.org)
Permit Officer/County Weighmaster
Extension 223

David Clift (DavidClift@vbcrc.org)
Engineering Technician
Extension 230

Joel Hoort (JoelHoort@vbcrc.org)
Engineering Technician
Extension 228

David Mills (DavidMills@vbcrc.org)
Engineering Technician
Extension 229

Fleet & Facilities-Purchasing Staff:

Christian Moffatt (ChristianMoffatt@vbcrc.org)
Assistant Fleet & Facilities Superintendent
Extension 293

Judge Arthur H. Clarke III

James R. Becker, Administrator/Magistrate

Laura Canaan, Secretary/Recorder

David Hill, Adult Probation Officer

Florencia Jackson, Probation Secretary

Dawn Borah, Finance Clerk

Isabel Galaviz, Civil Clerk

Maggie Yelding, Civil Clerk

Kristi Mitchell, Deputy Clerk

Teena Harris, Deputy Clerk

Ronda Willett, Deputy Clerk

Lauren Harry, P/T Deputy Clerk

Douglas H. Nelson, Jr.
Term Expires: 04/25/15

Gerald Zeiger
Term Expires: 07/29/17

John Lammert
Term Expires: 05/29/16

Appointments by VBC Board of Commissioners

Commissioner Don Hanson
VBC Board Representative

Commissioner Mike Henry
VBC Board Representative

Commissioner Beth Griffin
VBC Board Representative

Dave Foerster
Citizen Representative
Term Expires: 12/31/16

Jeff Radtke
Citizen Representative
Term Expires: 12/31/16

 Francis Sage, Secretary
Citizen Represenative
Term Expires: 12/31/14

Dale Lewis
Citizen Representative
Term Expires: 12/31/14 

Appointments by Michigan Townships Association Chapter

2 Vacancies (2 year terms)
Townships' At-Large Representatives

Municipal Appointments (no term limits)

Yemi Akinwale
City of Hartford

Robert Burr
City of South Haven

Staff

AJ Brucks, Executive Director (alison.brucks@mi.nacdnet.net)
Kim Sinclair, Administrator
Kyle Mead, MAEAP (Ag.) Technician
Erin Fuller, Watershed Coordinator
Colleen Forestieri, Conservation Technician
Nor Serocki, CISMA (Invasive Species) Coordinator
Emilly Hickmott, Recycling Coordinator

• Website
• Facebook
• Recycling Blog
• Ag. Twitter

Board of Directors
Bryan Cronenwett, Chair
Carl Druskovich, Treasurer
Jan Petersen, Secretary
Paulett Rybarski, Member
Bill VanTassel, Member