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WALKER - Commissioner Jim Dowson retired from the Cass County Board Tuesday. He attended the last scheduled meeting of 2014.

His fellow commissioners and the Leech Lake Reservation recognized him for 47 years of service to the county in a variety of roles.

Dowson came to Cass County in 1967 as a young sheriff's deputy. He rose through the ranks in that department until he became chief deputy under then-sheriff Louis Chalich.

Chalich retired in 1986. Dowson ran successfully to replace him in 1987 and served as sheriff until 2000 when Dowson completed his law enforcement career.

Dowson then ran successfully for county board and has served as a commissioner since Jan. 1, 2001.

"It's been a great ride," Dowson said Tuesday. "As a county board, we've accomplished a lot. We're fortunate to live where we do."

Dowson went on to cite the 512 lakes in Cass County, county employees who get things done and are leaders in the state, three local news media representatives who keep residents informed and a cooperative board that can get work done whether or not they agree on issues as reasons he believes he lives and has worked in an ideal place.

"Please protect our environment" were his parting words to those he left to take over the work he has done for Cass County.

Leech Lake Reservation as well as the county recognized Dowson in a short ceremony following the regular county board meeting at the courthouse Tuesday. Dowson received a certificate from the county and a handcrafted birch bark box from the reservation. The box was presented by Levi Brown, Leech Lake Reservation land and environmental director.

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