CHEBOYGAN CO., MI -- Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox has resigned from his job.
He made the announcement today and it takes effect immediately.
Lennox was the center of several controversies during his time as drain commissioner.
First he tried to eliminate his own job. Later he faced legal trouble for using county stamps to send out campaign material in Christmas cards. He was found not guilty.
Most recently he brought a man dressed as Santa Claus to a commission meeting trying to get to the board to formally support Christmas.
Below is the release of Lennox's resignation in full:
Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox resigned Monday to pursue a full-time position in the private sector.
In resigning, Lennox released the following statement: "My decision today was not driven by political concerns, as I am confident that I would have secured a renewed mandate from the electorate if I sought re-election. With my new professional opportunity, it wasn't possible to dedicate the necessary time to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this office. Remaining in office for the sake of remaining in office is not what the people expect and deserve -- and it's never the way I have carried myself as a public servant.
"I am proud of my record of fighting tirelessly to reform county government and engage in a critical conversation on the future direction of our community. My reforms have included an elected head of county government; consolidating my office, the Board of Public Works and the Road Commission into one agency; a blue-ribbon citizen commission to review all facets of county government; an independent, citizen-led commission to set the pay of elected officials; reduction of the number of seats on the Board of Commissioners from seven to five members; and ensuring full transparency by posting the county's checkbook expenditures and budgets on the internet for taxpayer scrutiny and review. I am also proud of my record in conserving our water resources -- a precious gift from God -- and defending our traditional values against those who want a secular county government.
"Looking ahead toward 2012, it's time for the people to come together and push the real change that Cheboygan County so desperately needs. We cannot allow our elected officials to plod along and appease those who stymie our community with the preservation of the status quo. Standing up and making your voice heard doesn't require a title. All it requires is a will to make a difference and get involved.
"I leave office with an enormous respect for the people and the trust that they bestowed upon me as their voice in county government. I look forward to staying involved and making sure the voices for reform are heard in the halls of government."
With his resignation, Lennox, who had previously announced he wasn't seeking re-election next year, will work full-time as senior consultant for public affairs at Sterling, Hoffman & Co., where he will be responsible for growing the Midland-based firm's public and private sector business. He will remain a member of the Cheboygan County Republican Party's Executive Committee.
The resignation was made formal in a letter to the county clerk, prosecuting attorney and Probate Court judge. It takes effect upon the appointment and qualification of a successor. Under state law, the prosecuting attorney and clerk will be tasked with appointing an acting drain commissioner, who will serve the remainder of Lennox's term.
