Van Buren Township Deputy Clerk Cline to retire as of June 27

By Diane Madigan
Independent Special Writer
Van Buren Township Deputy Clerk Kathleen Cline turned in her letter of retirement to Clerk Leon Wright last Thursday, with an effective date of June 27.
Cline said the decision was made after considerable thought and soul-searching.
In her letter, Cline said, “I am retiring due [to] the demands of my position and personal reasons. I take my position seriously and cannot continue to provide the level of attention my vast job duties require.”
She suggested an effective date of June 27 to give Clerk Wright time to find a replacement, but she offered to depart earlier if that would be more convenient.
Cline was hired in 1997 by then-Supervisor Helen Foster as her confidential secretary. In 2001, Clerk Joannie Payne appointed her as deputy clerk and she’s been in that position for the last 13 years.
Cline’s duties include everything a deputy clerk in VBT is expected to do, as well as a growing human resources load.
In 2013, Cline was expected to get some help with the ever-changing health care programs and personnel issues when Supervisor Linda Combs hired a full-time executive assistant. But Karin LaMothe did not have the Human Resources credentials required and HR was dropped from LaMothe’s responsibilities.
A part-time HR person was hired from an agency, but when her term was up she left for a full-time job. A search is now under way for another part-time HR employee. Meanwhile, HR responsibilities remain with the clerk’s office.
“I value the experience I have received at Van Buren Township and I want [to] thank you and the entire Board of Trustees for the past 17 years. I wish the best for the entire Board and all of the dedicated employees of the Township,” she concluded.