By Sue Moore
Thirty-five years is a long time for anyone to sit through countless planning commission meetings for a local unit of government. Leonard “Lenny” Jaworski has this milestone to be proud of, said Virginia Mongreig, Schoolcraft Township clerk.
“The time and energy he has spent working through all of the issues and circumstances over the past 35 years is a true testament of Lenny’s dedication to this community. Not all of these issues have been easy or uncontested,” said his business partner, Matt Holysz.
His experience will be greatly missed, said Barry Visel, who has been on the board for 15 years. “He was very helpful when the master plan was updated because he knows the agriculture business so well. He knew the history which tied it altogether in how we wanted to keep protecting our farmland. His forte is soils and water, which is vital in keeping the agricultural land preserved for a township that believes in this,” Visel said.
“I was always amazed how he could pull up the history and ownership of the different properties we were discussing, I guess that comes from being 30 years on the Commission,” Trustee David Aubry said.
“Lenny contributed his extensive knowledge of farming operations in the township to Planning Commission deliberations. Over the years, he represented the township’s farming community interests very well,” according to long-time Trustee Charlie Bibert.
Lenny’s “boots on the ground” knowledge of the township has been invaluable to the planning commission during the planning process. He will be missed, said Dave Reno, another long-time member of that body.