Beer Reflects On 12 Years Of Governing
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
As usual, Maurie Beer came to the commissioner's meeting last Monday dressed impeccably.
The elder Kosciusko County leader wore a pin-striped shirt with a floral tie tucked underneath a green suit jacket that appeared tailor made.
The color green carried an ironic coincidence last Monday as Beer attended his last meeting as a Kosciusko County commissioner.
After an estimated 300 meetings, Beer's perspective of county government has matured since his first session 12 years ago.
"Back then, I was pretty green," Beer said during a break in the commissioner's meeting, adding that he knew little about zoning issues when the topic came up at his first meeting.
But Beer caught on, and became known for sticking up for the common man.
That was best illustrated this year when a Milford company announced plans for a major expansion of its plant and coincided it with requests to widen nearby roads.
Beer bluntly opposed the plan for fear it would encroach too close to a home that had just been remodeled.
Within a month, Beer got his way when the company and highway engineer agreed to put a slight curve in the road around the man's home.
"I never like to see big business step on the common man," Beer recalled.
The 74-year-old Beer, a lifetime Milford area resident, grew up on a farm and continues to grow corn, beans and wheat on a 150-acre plot near Old Road 15.
Prior to becoming commissioner, he served three years as trustee of Van Buren Township, a job he really didn't enjoy because of the paperwork.
In 1983, Republican leaders approached Beer about running for commissioner to represent the northern district after Maurice Dorsey chose to step down.
Coincidentally, on the same day he put his name on the Republican ticket, former county councilman Ron Sharp filed for the same position.
Beer hadn't anticipated an opponent, but ran an aggressive campaign and came out the victor.
The political novice recalls getting a little unintended publicity. His first campaign signs read "Beer For Commissioner."
After looking at the sign a while, Beer realized the potential for confusion and got a reporter to do a follow-up article explaining he did not exactly support the notion of commissioners drinking beer.
Beer remained unchallenged in his next election, but that wasn't the case last year when Brad Jackson announced plans to seek Beer's seat.
Beer lost in a close three-way race.
"I knew I was in trouble. He had youth, vigor and personality," Beer said.
Despite the loss, Beer surprised onlookers with a strong endorsement of Jackson in the general election. Since then, the two have shared some light moments as Jackson began attending meetings to familiarize himself with the future job.
"He beat me fair and square in the primary. There's no use being tough about it. We have a good relationship. He called me this morning ... and wished me well."
Looking back, Beer said he feels fortunate to have worked with the likes of Charlie Lynch, the late Fred Gilliam, and current commissioners Avis Gunter and Eddie Creighton.
Beer said he's proud of his role in establishing the 911 emergency phone service and re-addressing that went hand in hand.
That project in the late 1980s took just as conservative an approach as the county took a few years ago when they began considering major renovations to the courthouse.
At first cost estimates came in near $3.5 million. But through careful, piecemeal planning, the project was completed earlier this year for about $1.5 million, Beer said.
Beer said he plans to continue farming and spend more time with Betty, his wife of 52 years.
The one thing he likely won't miss are the calls from residents with complaints about zoning, taxes or whatever the issue of the day might be.
"Most were very considerate, but a few were irate, and at times, I'll admit my patience wasn't what it should have been, Beer said.
"I'm leaving this job (knowing) the majority of people agree with me we had a peaceful relationship." [[In-content Ad]]
As usual, Maurie Beer came to the commissioner's meeting last Monday dressed impeccably.
The elder Kosciusko County leader wore a pin-striped shirt with a floral tie tucked underneath a green suit jacket that appeared tailor made.
The color green carried an ironic coincidence last Monday as Beer attended his last meeting as a Kosciusko County commissioner.
After an estimated 300 meetings, Beer's perspective of county government has matured since his first session 12 years ago.
"Back then, I was pretty green," Beer said during a break in the commissioner's meeting, adding that he knew little about zoning issues when the topic came up at his first meeting.
But Beer caught on, and became known for sticking up for the common man.
That was best illustrated this year when a Milford company announced plans for a major expansion of its plant and coincided it with requests to widen nearby roads.
Beer bluntly opposed the plan for fear it would encroach too close to a home that had just been remodeled.
Within a month, Beer got his way when the company and highway engineer agreed to put a slight curve in the road around the man's home.
"I never like to see big business step on the common man," Beer recalled.
The 74-year-old Beer, a lifetime Milford area resident, grew up on a farm and continues to grow corn, beans and wheat on a 150-acre plot near Old Road 15.
Prior to becoming commissioner, he served three years as trustee of Van Buren Township, a job he really didn't enjoy because of the paperwork.
In 1983, Republican leaders approached Beer about running for commissioner to represent the northern district after Maurice Dorsey chose to step down.
Coincidentally, on the same day he put his name on the Republican ticket, former county councilman Ron Sharp filed for the same position.
Beer hadn't anticipated an opponent, but ran an aggressive campaign and came out the victor.
The political novice recalls getting a little unintended publicity. His first campaign signs read "Beer For Commissioner."
After looking at the sign a while, Beer realized the potential for confusion and got a reporter to do a follow-up article explaining he did not exactly support the notion of commissioners drinking beer.
Beer remained unchallenged in his next election, but that wasn't the case last year when Brad Jackson announced plans to seek Beer's seat.
Beer lost in a close three-way race.
"I knew I was in trouble. He had youth, vigor and personality," Beer said.
Despite the loss, Beer surprised onlookers with a strong endorsement of Jackson in the general election. Since then, the two have shared some light moments as Jackson began attending meetings to familiarize himself with the future job.
"He beat me fair and square in the primary. There's no use being tough about it. We have a good relationship. He called me this morning ... and wished me well."
Looking back, Beer said he feels fortunate to have worked with the likes of Charlie Lynch, the late Fred Gilliam, and current commissioners Avis Gunter and Eddie Creighton.
Beer said he's proud of his role in establishing the 911 emergency phone service and re-addressing that went hand in hand.
That project in the late 1980s took just as conservative an approach as the county took a few years ago when they began considering major renovations to the courthouse.
At first cost estimates came in near $3.5 million. But through careful, piecemeal planning, the project was completed earlier this year for about $1.5 million, Beer said.
Beer said he plans to continue farming and spend more time with Betty, his wife of 52 years.
The one thing he likely won't miss are the calls from residents with complaints about zoning, taxes or whatever the issue of the day might be.
"Most were very considerate, but a few were irate, and at times, I'll admit my patience wasn't what it should have been, Beer said.
"I'm leaving this job (knowing) the majority of people agree with me we had a peaceful relationship." [[In-content Ad]]