Larry Saunders, former Lakewood Police Chief, has joined the board of directors of the Lakewood Historical Society. He is filling out the term of Gary Hess, who has resigned due to business commitments. Society President Becky Huber said she feels Saunders will be a strong addition to the growing historical society and museum. The organization recently employed a professional director on a part-time basis and is currently involved in its annual fund raising campaign.
Saunders organized and was the first chief of the Lakewood Police Department. He resigned to re-enter the US Army where he served in Iraq developing a training program for the Iraqi security forces. He retired, for the second time, from the Army at the first of June.
Hess, manager of the Great American Casino in Lakewood, indicated to Huber that his work schedule at the casino didn’t allow him to participate in board meetings and as a result he needed to resign and allow the society to replace him with a person who was able to provide the support that was needed. He said that both he and the casino corporation strongly support the society and museum.
The Lakewood Historical Society opened its museum four years ago in the historic Lakewood Colonial Center at 6211 Mt. Tacoma Dr. SW. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 pm. There is no charge to enter and view the variety of exhibits and historic memorabilia on display.
In addition, the society produces a monthly public meeting featuring a discussion on matters of local history. The sessions, open to the public and free, are usually held in the Lakewood Library.
Congratulations to Larry! I think it’s a good fit, particularly considering how much Larry Saunders has positively contributed to making Lakewood’s history during his service as Lakewood’s Chief of Police. I applaud the LHS for his placement.
Congratulations Larry! This is an exciting time for the Lakewood Historical Society and glad that you can be a part of it.
Of course the good news is that Saunders joins the Lakewood Historical Society Board. The bad news is Saunders replaces Gary Hess, manager of the Great American Casino, who, because of job commitments, must return to his night job. That on the surface is also good news, but of course the reality is the predatory gambling industry has/had infiltrated the Lakewood Chamber, Lakewood’s Promise and Lakewood’s Historical Society. The casinos say they will, however, continue to support Lakewood’s history. Indeed they will.
It is patheticly sad when someone has to turn a congradulatory story for someone into a political issue that in reality is a non-issue.
By non-issue you are speaking of?