Robert "Bobbie" Atkinson has worked for the county Road Commission for 17 years, working his way up the ranks to become the Maple City garage foreman in Septemeber 2003.

Robert Atkinson is retiring
from the Road Commisson on
Jan. 25.

Atkinson will retire Jan. 25 and will be replaced by Bruce Clark, a road crew member who has worked for the Road Commission since October 2002.

At its rescheduled meeting Wendesday, Jan. 2, the commission heard a report from superintendent/manager Herb Cradduck about the change in management for the Maple City garage.

Atkinson said he will be 62 at the end of the month. He and his wife want to do some traveling.

“Our first trip will be to Boston, we’ve got a son there and we are looking forward to seeing him” he said.

Outside of his work at the Road Commission, Atkinson is probably best known for his accordion skills. He is a member of the Polka Hall of Fame.

Taking a job with the Road Commission was an easy decision, Atkinson said.

“It was close to home, I knew most of the guys who worked there. I’ve always liked working outside, it was a good choice for me,” he said. While he won’t miss getting up at 4 a.m. to check on roads in his area, Atkinson said he will miss working for the county.

“I love my county. It’s been a pleasure working for the Road Commission,” he said.

In a phone report Friday, clerk Joe Nedow said Clark was the road work crew leader on two road projects in 2007: the repaving of Armstrong Lake Road, and the County Roads 669 and 616 projects.

In other business, the commission:

• During its organizational meeting held prior to its regular meeting Wednesday afternoon reappointed Lee A. Bowen as chairman and John Popa as vice-chairman. The commission also reconfirmed its management employee positions: Cradduck, superintendent/manager; James C. Johnson, engineer; Atkinson, Maple City foreman; Nedow, clerk.

• Unanimously granted a request from Harriger Construction to move a house from Burdickville Road to M-72 near Empire using County Road 677. The Road Commission adopted a policy in 2005 restricting heavy-load trucks from using 677 between M-22 and M-72. Nedow said the commission considered the expense the construction company would have incurred if it had to drive around 677 in its decision.

• Heard an update from Cradduck on a lawsuit the commission had been named in from an Elmwood Township couple concerning a project off of Lakeview Hills Road. Cradduck said the Road Commission and county Drain Commissioner were both dismissed from the suit by the judge as the decision to allow the development rested with Elmwood Township.