Alway appointed Amber Twp. supervisor

Tom Alway

Alway appointed Amber Twp. supervisor

AMBER TOWNSHIP — Tom Alway has been appointed to become the next Amber Township supervisor. The township Board of Trustees met Monday morning in a special meeting to make the decision.

Current supervisor Jim Gallie announced on Oct. 23 that he will be retiring effective Dec. 31. Gallie has served as supervisor since April 2013. He had previously served as a trustee since 2008.

Alway has served on the township board as a trustee for 10 years.

“I’ve put a lot of time in making the decision to become supervisor,” Alway said. “I thought it would be a smooth transition to have someone on the board who was familiar with the board and who knew the business at hand. I am looking forward to watching the township continue to grow and to continue what Jim has started.”

In November, the board decided to appoint the supervisor from within its ranks to fulfill the rest of the term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2024. If he decides to seek election, Alway will have to run in the November 2024 General Election.

The move will also mean there is an open trustee position on the township board. Alway said the board will be posting the position for appointment. That term also will terminate the end of next year.

Alway is a 1982 graduate of Mason County Central High School, has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering technology from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in information technology management from Western Governors University. He works full time as the director of technology at West Shore Community College. The supervisor position is part-time and currently pays $19,500 a year.

Alway is a fourth generation lifelong resident of Amber Township whose family moved to the township in 1908. He, along with his father and brothers, operate Alway’s Shady Lane Farm, which was established in 1930. He also serves on the board of directors of Mason County Farm Bureau. He and his wife, Mary, have three adult children.

According to the latest census records, 2018, Amber Township has a population of 2,576 people, making it the second most populated township in Mason County (Hamlin Township’s population is 3,464 and Pere Marquette Charter Township’s population is 2,436).

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