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CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
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SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
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Newly retired Assistant Fire Chief Harold Bevins listens as Retired Fire Chief Jerry Alward presents him with an award for his 47 years of service to the community.

(Photo courtesy of Karen Rottenberk)

WT board takes time to
honor officials, residents

by KIMBERLY SCHERER
Observer Special Writer

      Honoring years of service, selflessness and a drive to volunteer were on the top of the agenda during the March 3 Washington Township Board of Trustees meeting.
       After 47 years of service, Assistant Fire Chief Harold Bevins retired. Retired Fire Chief Jerry Alward presented him with the helmet he used throughout the years, his badge fashioned on a plaque and plaques from both the township and fire department.
       "Harold is a guy that was always there, whenever there was anything to be done with the trucks, the station Harold was there," Alword said. "He worked well with me and I appreciate everything he has done."
       Bevins began his lengthy career with the fire department on Oct. 8, 1962. He officially retired on Jan. 27.
       Supervisor Dan O'Leary expressed his gratitude for Bevins' years of service.
       "There are people who in the time of trouble run away, like most of us, people that sit and speculate and people that run towards the trouble and it's those people you can count on. Those who protect the rest of us. We appreciate what you've done, Harold," O'Leary said.
       Trustee Art Grimes, who didn't know it, was also honored for his years of service on the fire department.
       "He was one of the original firefighters at station 2," Alward said.
       Grimes served as a firefighter and as an EMT during his time with the department from Oct. 21, 1975 to June 19, 2008.
       "I had a lot of great years working with the fire department, I enjoyed it . . . I met a lot of great people," he said. "It's an experience you'll never forget and I'm very proud to have been able to serve my community."
       Also honored was resident Melvin Kautz. He was given a Good Samaritan Award. O'Leary said instead of selling or renting out an extra home, he let a family with four children live there for free when they fell on hard times.
       "These are tough times and you see sad stories all over the place, a lot of negative stories to just break your heart. When you see someone who steps up and does God's work like this, it's just awesome," said O'Leary.
       In addition to the Good Samaritan Award, he was also presented with a Certificate of Tribute from the governor's office. O'Leary said the family told both the township and the governor of Kautz's selflessness.
       Also honored was Stephen Carpenter, an Eagle Scout of Troop 256. He assisted the Armada Fair's committee to figure out a way to keep children from getting lost.
       "Thank you for being an example for your peers," O'Leary said.