There has been a changing of the guard in Cass County.
At its first meeting of the year on Thursday, the Cass County Board of Commissioners elected Jeremiah Jones as its new chair by a 5-3 vote. He replaces longtime commission chair Dwight ‘Skip’ Dyes, who was defeated in the August primary election. District 1 commissioner Ryan Laylin was elected vice chair, replacing former commissioner Michael Grice.
Jones, who lives in Pokagon Township and represents District 4 as commissioner, was first elected to the Cass County board in November 2020.
“I’m a man of my word and I pride myself on doing what I say and saying what I do,” said Jones, during the meeting. “I told everybody I wouldn’t do anything unethical, anything immoral and [have] complete transparency to the best of my ability. … mine and the vice chair’s first priority will be locking in the committees so we can start business and take care of our beloved Cass County.”
Jones is an Army veteran, serving in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. He leads the county veteran’s committee, and is active in supporting veterans throughout the region.
Last year, he spoke to a crowd gathered for Dowagiac’s Memorial Day Parade about being wounded in combat, a platoon member who passed away and the trauma he and other veterans go through after returning from war.
“I’ve had survivor’s guilt for 13 years, and it’s hard,” said Jones, during his speech. “When a veteran wants to talk to you, sit down and let them open up to you, because you may just save a life. … If I didn’t get [my story] out, I’m telling you right now, I wouldn’t be here. By the grace of God, I’m here now. So, reach out to your veterans so that we don’t lose any more.”
(Image via Jeremiah Jones Facebook)
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
