11/10/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r � BOOK 10.7 PAGE B.D. COMMISSIONER CAROLYN K. EGGERT - REMARKS UPON RETIREMENT The Board of County Commissioners presented Commissioner Eggert with a dozen roses. Then she read from the following prepared remarks: As I thought of retirement, I had no idea how I'd feel when my actual final meeting was here. I find myself with many mixed emotions. Happiness in knowing I won't be receiving all those phones calls about drainage, sadness in knowing I'm leaving a family that I have worked with for 12 happy years. Slightly regretful that I didn't get everything finished, but know it's well on its way. Above all, grateful to have been working with such a wonderful staff and commissioners. When John Tippin and I were pounding out a comp plan in the early 1980's -several days a week- the county was only in its late teens moving forward into adulthood. The first current staff person I worked with was Bob Keating, who gave me a true understanding of what planning was, looking at the big picture while taking care of details and what perfectionism really is even thought we begged for more flexibility and still do! Bob taught me a lot working with him on community development and MPO. I'll always be grateful. The same is true of Stan Boling, who was easy to work with and always came up with creative solutions. Sasan Rohani who I struggled with through Affordable Housing, SHIP Program and Transportation Disadvantaged was wonderful. Believe me, we really had some challenges. Peter Radke was a great help with Economic Development. I thank you all. My first building project was the new libraries. Mary Powell, Lynn Walsh and I marched steadfastly on even though we began hitting walls before done. North County library opened first and was well received. Its only fault are the acoustics are too good and you can hear everything everywhere. The Main Library had trouble landing a site but I'm glad we chose the one we did with the Courthouse nearby. Both libraries are in need of expansion and that project will go forward, I hope. Thank you all for all your work and helpfulness. After a struggle with Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health agencies we finally got some planning money for a new health building which we built with early sales tax money. Then we fought to convince the powers that be that you didn't have to have a doctor to run the health department. A really good nurse could do it just as well. We have been delighted with Jean Kline as its head. She has been doing a wonderful job and will continue to do so. Doug Wright and I started on a long march of bringing paramedics to Indian River County and professional firefighters to North County while trying to utilize our wonderful volunteers. It was a struggle sometimes but I think we put together a group of outstanding young men and women who are serving our county with professionalism and courage. I want to thank Doug, John King, Otis Humanes, Jim Judge, Nate McCollum and Ed Kowalski along with the rest of the staff. We managed to pass the EMS District with a plan we thought would take us far into the future. However, growth has caught up with us. My one regret is not being able to complete that second plan. However, I know it's well on the way to be prepared and you should have it next spring. November 10, 1998 104