A long career in local government will end this week. After 38 years, including the last 18 as economic development director for Bettendorf, Steve Van Dyke is retiring.
During his years with Bettendorf, Van Dyke has participated in some major projects, including the re-development of the area around the former Duck Creek Mall, starting what he hopes will be the re-development of the downtown, and the creation of the Riverside Development Park.
Van Dyke previously worked for the city of Chicago, as city administrator for Hudson, Iowa and Fulton, Illinois, and just before Bettendorf, as director of economic development for East Moline. And he spent four years, based in Dubuque, with the East Central Inter-governmental Association - acting as a consultant for 5 counties and 60 cities.
But now at the age of 65, Van Dyke wants to try working for himself, and and one possibility is learning to weld.
He also might fix up and old house, or even buy a farm.
His replacement will be Jeff Reiter, currently director of the Family Museum.
