On Dec. 15, Monroe County Commissioners honored out-going District 1 Commissioner Larry Evans and six other retirees in a special ceremony at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting.
Commission Chairman Greg Tapley presented Evans and the other retirees with awards for their years of service. Tapley noted that the seven retirees, whose retirements will take effect at year’s end, combined for 226 years of employment with Monroe County.
Award recipients in addition to Evans included: Clerk of the Superior Court Lynn Ham (45 years of service), Superior Court Chief Deputy Clerk Angela Banks (33 years of service), Superior Court Senior Deputy Clerk Diane Letson (31 years of service), Superior Court Senior Deputy Clerk Susan Niblett (21 years of service), Magistrate Court Senior Deputy Clerk Diane Williams (45 years of service) and Magistrate Court Deputy Clerk Kathy Barfield (22 years of service).
Chairman Tapley said of the 2020 retirees: “Monroe County is gonna be lesser for y’all not being in your positions. So we thank y’all very much for y’all being here today, for the time that y’all have invested and contributed to this community.”
As for Commissioner Evans, who is believed to be the longest-serving Commissioner in Monroe County history, Chairman Tapley said the two may not have always agreed on every issue, but he always respected him.
Chairman Tapley said, “I’ve always respected his experience, his knowledge and his time served in public office.”
District 2 Commissioner Eddie Rowland said he also appreciates Evans’ career of service to Monroe County.
Commissioner Rowland said, “This is a tough job, and for somebody to do this for 33 years, I absolutely take my hat off to them.”
The crowd in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting gave Evans a round of applause in response to Rowland’s comments.
At the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting, the Board of Commissioners hosted a drop-in reception in honor of the retirees.
