Meet Mary Campbell, Casco Township's newest Trustee

Mary Campbell, Casco Township Trustee

Mary Campbell, Glenn Shores resident, was elected Trustee of Casco Township on November 5, 2024. 

Mary Campbell served as the Senior Services Coordinator of Casco Township for 2 ½ years.  As the Casco Township additional quarter mil to partner with Van Buren Senior Services came to a vote in May of 2024, Campbell shifted her focus to the Trustee seat as a way of continuing to bring her knowledge and experiences to the residents of Casco.  

Anticipating the transition of the Casco senior care program, Mary says she wondered, “What’s next for me?” She says her reason for running for office was less about political ambition, and more about the knowledge she has accumulated due to her senior program leadership.

The quarter mil was voted in and Van Buren Senior Services now leads the Casco Senior Care Program.  Mary Campbell was sworn in as Trustee following her victory in November.

In addition to her role as Casco Township Trustee, Mary closely follows the work of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and is Senior Representative to the Allegan County Commission on Aging. 

During Casco Township Board meetings, Mary reports on programs and resources available to Casco residents including a respite care program from the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.  Mary says, “41% of us are 60 and older,” and she is keen to share information about resources available to Casco residents through Allegan County.

She reminds residents that even part-timers can participate in activities at Senior Services of Van Buren County by registering with identification and a property tax bill at the popular South Haven-based facility.

Mary Campbell brings additional familiarity with Township operations to the board, having served as Deputy Treasurer for 3 years.  This followed a career in corporate consulting including work for Gulf and Western and EY, across the nation and in Europe.

During her campaign, Campbell reports knocking on 450 doors. Feedback from residents who feel they don’t have a voice in what goes on has spurred Mary to make things more transparent and be open to input.  She is the first Trustee to hold office hours (Tuesdays, 10:30 to 12 noon at the Township Hall). She is also pushing to have the Casco Township website kept updated to allow residents to follow the workings of the Township through posted minutes if they are not able to attend meetings.  

As Trustee, Mary Campbell is the Board Representative to the Casco Township Parks and Recreation Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mary Campbell and her husband Dave Campbell built a cottage in Glenn Shores in 1978. Upon retirement, they remodeled it into a full-time residence. She has seen change in the Glenn Shores neighborhood and along the lakeshore in her years in Casco, but some things stay the same.  

“We still patronize the Overhiser Farm and Dutch Farm Market,” she says.

As for the future of Casco, “We need to address senior housing,” Mary notes. She also confirms the increased role tourism plays in the local economy, witnessing the increased density of lakeshore homes and short term rentals in Casco Township. 

She acknowledges part time residents don’t have as much opportunity to get involved in the community.  “When you’re here for a short time, you’re caught up in work to be done, getting 11 months of cobwebs out of your place,” she jokes.  “When we were part timers, we didn’t go to a Township meeting.” 

Living in Casco full time has afforded both Mary and Dave Campbell opportunity to become more involved in the community.   Mary Campbell’s term as Trustee runs through November 20, 2028. She is one of two Trustees on the five-member Board.