LENNON TO HIRE FOLARON – Rich Folaron introduced himself to the Lennon Police Commission Tuesday, March 8 after being recommended by Police Chief Ian Zoll to be the village’s next police chief. Zoll has accepted a full-time position with the Genesee County Parks, where he will begin working March 26 after serving the village for the past seven years. He will stay on in Lennon until then to assist the new chief in the transition. He also reported that Folaron was “at the top of the list” of replacements.
Folaron said he thinks he will be “a good fit for the community,” and that he is looking forward to getting involved with the children of the community. Folaron, who began his career as a policeman in 1973, has spent time with several police agencies across Shiawassee and Genesee counties. He was also the D.A.R.E. officer for the Durand Area Schools for 12 years and spent over a year as the Durand interim police chief, beginning in July 2010. He and his wife, Nancy, are residents of Durand. (Independent Photo/Graham Sturgeon)
By Graham Sturgeon, co-editor
The Lennon Police Commission met Tuesday, March 8 to say farewell to Chief Ian Zoll, who will be leaving the village to take a job with the Genesee County Parks Rangers. Members of the Lennon Village Council and DDA were also present to wish Zoll good luck and to thank him for the seven years he spent with the village.
“We want to thank you, Ian, for all that you’ve done for the village,” Lennon Police Commission Chairman Larry Widigan said during the meeting. “You were thrust into action three years ago and we are all very pleased with how you have handled yourself. You have the qualities to do anything you set your mind to. Make sure you don’t forget about us.”
Zoll was one of eight candidates in the running to fill two positions with the Genesee County Parks Rangers, and he ended up being the only candidate selected. He begins the new job March 26, but he plans to work with the village to assist in the transition until that time. Zoll made his recommendation during Monday’s meeting that Rich Folaron be named his successor, and the commission approved of the selection. The Lennon Village Council will have the final say in the hiring during its Monday, March 14 meeting.
Zoll thanked the village council and employees for being so supportive and for making his job easier. “I had no idea what I was getting into when I took the chief position, but I have been very lucky to have such good people to work with,” Zoll said. “I know there has been talk about possibly contracting the village’s police services out, but I am glad the council and I are on the same page on the issue. The village of Lennon needs a police presence.”
Folaron attended the meeting as well, and he spent a few minutes introducing himself. He has worked as a police officer with the Genesee County Sheriff Department, Richfield Township, Mt. Morris Township, the city of Flushing and the city of Durand, where he has spent the past 27 years. He gave Durand officials notice of his retirement Wednesday.
