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Buiten and Queen retire from Wayne director roles

By Sarah Shurge you have a small little community
“Mike Buiten and Ed Queen are that you’re responsible for. Well, the
the very definition of the term ‘public city of Wayne has become that sec-
servant’,” said Wayne Police Chief ond home to myself being that small
Ryan Strong. “They just absolutely community, said Queen.
exemplify it and I’ve certainly seen Queen had nothing but kind
that in my 24 years of working with words to say about the people he
them.” worked with.
At the city council meeting on “Thank you to each and every one
Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, retir- of you, it’s been a joy working for the
ing Building and Engineering Direc- community. I’ve always enjoyed it
tor Mike Buiten and Department of and I will miss all you dearly,” said
Public Works Assistant Director Ed Queen.
Queen were honored with plaques, Dave Schmidt has taken over
presented by Chief Strong. things as Department of Public
“After multiple decades of service, Works Assistant Director. The De-
quite frankly I think some employees partment of Public Works (DPW) is
would coast on their way out, but located at 35200 Forest Road.
that’s just not these gentlemen’s style. Kirk Malcomson has taken over
It’s in their hearts and souls to serve as Assistant Director Building and
the community of Wayne,” said Chief Engineering. Wayne Building & Engi-
Strong. neering is located at 3200 S Wayne
After over 25 years of service, Mike Buiten and Ed Queen with the sign that Mike saved from when he first started Road.
Buiten and Queen retired at the end “He is outstanding in that capac-
of December 2023. in Wayne that he wanted to use to commerate his last day in Wayne. ity. I think he’ll be a very good direc-
“You both are going to be greatly “I’ve enjoyed every bit of doing During the council meeting on tor until a replacement is found,”
missed in this community,” said what I’ve been doing for the last 27 December 19th, Queen stated that said Buiten.
Wayne Mayor John Rhaesa during years,” said Queen during the meet- he was in the military for under four We thank Buiten and Queen for
the council meeting. “You’ve been a ing. years in the United States Air Force. all the work they’ve done for the city
tremendous asset to all of us and we Monday, January 1st, was “An Air Force base or any bases and wish them the best with their re-
thank you for your service to the Buiten’s first day of retirement. that anyone in the military knows, tirement!
community.” “I’ve been blessed in life. Now it’s
Buiten and Queen both said a few time for me to help others,” said
words during the council meeting. Buiten. “Sometimes you feel you
“I want to thank the people of need to get your hands involved and
Wayne, both business owners and not just throw money at things.”
residents. The people and city have Buiten raised his family in the
been so good to me and I feel so city of Wayne for 26 years before
blessed by that,” said Buiten. moving to Hillsdale four years ago.
Buiten began his career with the There he attends Countryside Bible
city of Wayne in 1998. Church. During retirement, he plans
“Wayne is a place that God gave on working in a children’s ministry
me to work for almost 26 years and at his church called Helping Hands.
I tried to do that the best I could for “I’ll be looking and learning about
Him,” said Buiten. opportunities in the community and
Queen began his career with the praying about what direction to
city of Wayne in 1996. take,” said Buiten.

14 · January 2024 · The Wayne Dispatch