PARCHMENT, MI. (WKZO AM/FM) — A longtime city commissioner and former mayor in Parchment is retiring after a four-decade career serving the community.
Rob Heasley served on the commission from 1979-1987, and again from 1989-2019. He was also the city of Parchment’s mayor from 2007 to 2017.
During his tenure in public office Heasley oversaw many challenges facing the city, including the closure of the Parchment Paper Milll in 2000 and a recent PFAS crisis. Earlier this year state regulators found that residents’ drinking water tested at levels more than 26 times higher than federal health guidelines for the contaminant.
He also saw the city grow a collection of arts and parks programming, acting as a champion for the redevelopment of Kindleberger Park and it’s annual summer festival.
The life-long resident of Parchment worked for the city’s public works department while attending Western Michigan University, before eventually making a bid for the commission himself. Heasley retired from working with Pfizer Corporation in 2004, but continued to serve in government.
Heasley previously served on the Kindleberger Arts Commission, and continues to serve on the Parchment Community Library Board until his term expires in 2022.
He will be recognized for his service at the Deceber 2nd city commission meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at Parchment City Hall.
