Township Council Honors New Jefferson-Grown Brigadier General

The Jefferson Township Council at its Nov. 13 meeting passed a resolution honoring Department of Public Works Director John Jeff Elam, who in May received an additional title: U.S. Army Brigadier General, AIM Jefferson reported.

Elam, who grew up in a Jefferson military family, has spent three decades working both in the DPW and as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated from the Michigan State University Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1983 as a second lieutenant and has endured numerous tours of duty, including a recent year in Afghanistan, the article said.

The  council members, Mayor Russell Felter, Township Administrator James Leach and Township Attorney Larry Cohen all praised Elam for his service. A representative remark came from Council member Jay Dunham: "Thank you, General, for your service to our country and our community. ... Patriotism such as yours is a rare thing, and it is a great honor having you in our town."