Traverse City Record-Eagle

Emmet County

April 20, 2010

Emmet Co. commissioner killed in crash

FROM STAFF REPORTS

PETOSKEY -- A local farmer and Emmet County commissioner was killed in a truck accident.

Tom Foltz, 59, died Saturday in a single-vehicle crash in Resort Township, county officials said in a statement issued Monday. A dump truck filled with sawdust he was driving rolled into a ditch near the intersection of Intertown and Howard roads around 11 a.m., county officials said.

Foltz represented the county's District 6, which includes Resort Township and part of Petoskey. He announced at a county board meeting last week that he didn't plan to seek re-election this year after serving for nearly eight years on the board.

"This a monumental loss to the community and the county he unselfishly served so well," county Commissioner Tom Shier said. "His decision-making was expeditious, yet well thought out and always reflected his passion and keen intelligence."

Foltz was first elected to the board in 2002. He served as chairman of the board's finance committee and served on the fair, buildings and grounds and transportation committees, and also supported the work of the county's Housing Commission.

"He always acknowledged everybody that he came into contact with," county Clerk Gail Martin said. "He was gentle and sincere. There were times he might have disagreed but he did it in a refined way, and he always had the best interests of the county in mind."

Foltz graduated from St. Francis High School in Petoskey. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and three children.

Text Only