Don Mapes, 60, joined the county staff in July 1980, and was hired first as a transfer station attendant

He became superintendent shortly after DPW Director Elisa Seltzer was hired in 1990.  Mapes recalled in the early days that his responsibilities included waiting on customers and changing out transfer trailers. As the facility grew, his responsibilities did as well and today he oversees the operation of the transfer station/recycling center, staffing and equipment.

“Now that the new expansion is nearly completed, I am waiting to see what new direction we may go in as a department,” Mapes said.

Mapes and his wife, Wendy, have been married for 43 years. They have two children and five grandchildren and live in Alanson.

Gary Ericks, 54, was hired to the maintenance staff in May 1980

His first role was as custodian at Pellston Regional Airport, then known as Emmet County Airport. After three years, he was moved to the county building downtown Petoskey where he continued his maintenance duties. Several years later, he returned to the airport where he handled a number of responsibilities including plowing snow, fueling planes and facility repairs.

In 2005, he was shifted to maintenance at the transfer station, where he worked until returning to the county building maintenance staff three years ago.

Ericks and his wife, Darlene, live in Mackinaw City. They have two children and six grandchildren.

Rick Hoig, 57, began his career with the county in 1976 as a seasonal marine deputy

During that time, Hoig and another deputy initiated the department’s underwater and search and recovery team. In 1980, he was hired full-time as a corrections officer.

Today, Hoig continues to serve on the dive team as its leader. His main daily responsibilities are in corrections, a department he has watched change over three decades.

“During the early years I have seen as few as 0 people in jail and lately as many as 105,” Hoig said. “We also expanded the jail over the years from 35 beds to 103.”

Hoig also recalled the days when the Sheriff and his family lived at the jail. The family’s dog, Ginger, would come out to greet visitors and the Sheriff’s wife would cook for the inmates. “Now we have a full-time commercial kitchen and full-time kitchen staff for the jail,” he said.

Hoig and his wife have two adult children and reside in Pellston

Dan VanPelt, 53, joined the corrections department in May 1980

Through his years of service, he likewise commented on the growth in the inmate population and changes in the jail building itself. Early in his career, it was common to have 8 to 10 inmates a day; today’s average is around 75.

VanPelt noted that he’s worked under three Sheriffs during his career as well, Richard Zink, Jeff Bodzik and current Sheriff Pete Wallin.

He and his wife of 33 years have two adult children, two grandchildren, and enjoy the peace of the countryside at their Northern Michigan home.