County says farewell to 'Roz'
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
First off, this week, let’s all give a heartfelt congratulations to Rosalind Newman. Mrs. Newman retires this week after 30 years of public service to Highland County.
“If there was a picture on the wall of what a county employee should be like, it would be a photo of Rosalind Newman,” Commissioner Gary Heaton told HCP sports editor Stephen Forsha this week.
Gary, I couldn’t agree more.
Many years ago, Mrs. Newman’s late husband and my late father (my dad wrote the book on being “late”!) were very good friends and, as such, I have known Mrs. Newman for all of her 30 years as a public servant, plus another 10 or so. There is not a finer citizen among us.
The real question, however, for Highland County is this: Are we really supposed to expect Commissioners Gary Heaton, Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin to function without Mrs. Newman’s assistance? Hmm.
In addressing this conundrum (where have we seen that word recently?), one commissioner told me they were keeping Mrs. Newman on “speed dial.” Another commish said they were installing a “Bat Phone” for her, but not at the county taxpayers’ expense.
I suspect, in fact, I am quite certain, that Rosie Newman has not only properly trained her likely successor, Deputy Clerk Debbie Sansone, but I am also sure she would also do anything and everything possible in order to help her county. That’s just the type of person she is. My hope is that she doesn’t have to. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Roz. Your family and friends are proud of you and appreciate your many contributions.
This past Monday, I had the opportunity to visit a few of my old haunts to our south, including one or two of which did not serve draft beer or wormwood concoctions.
After arriving at work on Main Street at 4 a.m. (my working hours are a real topic of conversation, suddenly; although they never used to be and the hours haven’t changed), I put in a reasonably good five hours and headed to the Adams County commissioners meeting as part of my Southern State Community College obligations.
It was good to meet with Commissioners Roger Rhonemus, Brian Baldridge and Justin Cooper. It was, as always, very good to see Adams County Economic Development Director Elaine Collins again.
When I gave her my “brand new” business card, courtesy of Mr. Charlie Spaeth, Elaine said, “Rory, I can always find you.”
Adams County is most fortunate to have had Elaine Collins as its economic development director for the past decade. However, Elaine, like Rosalind Newman, has her sights set on retirement. That will be a sad day for Adams County.
And then I showed up at The Portsmouth Daily Times Monday afternoon and saw Gail Wendt for the first time in 15 years. And, unlike me, she hasn’t aged a day. Neither has Tammy Wheeler. Must be that Ohio River water!
After working, either full-time or part-time, at seven newspapers and four different publishing companies in the past two decades, it’s nice to find a place or two where you’re still welcomed. It’s especially nice to be welcomed close to home.
My son’s principal at North Adams High School, Mr. Steve Schad, can be heard saying “Life is good,” frequently over the school’s public address system. Yes, Principal Schad, it is. And it is even better when old friends remember you and seem happy to see you. (Even if they are just pretending!)
Wednesday, Nov. 11 was, as all of us ought to know, Veterans Day. This year’s observance at the Hillsboro VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 9094 provided an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by America’s veterans and also an opportunity to say thank you.
Having spent many hours at the VFW as a child, I was often in awe of the local veterans from World War II, the Korean War (The Forgotten War) and the Vietnam War.
Each year, there are fewer and fewer veterans from World War II. This Greatest Generation has long been recognized for victoriously fighting the Axis nations, then returning home to build a strong and lasting post-war and post-Depression economy.
Like many of you, I grew up around family friends and relatives who served in the Second World War. Rarely, did any of them speak about the war. And when they did, it was, more often than not, just a humorous recollection. Like Harlan Beam, who once told me about a small platoon in trouble with a French farmer after they decided a fresh-cut steak would taste better than C-Rations. When the commanding officer asked why they killed the farmer’s cow, Harlan replied: “It was giving away our position!”
America’s veterans are, indeed, a very special breed of person. We cannot thank them enough. Nevertheless, to VFW Commander Rick Wilkin and all Highland County veterans, we offer our sincere and humble appreciation for your service.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
“If there was a picture on the wall of what a county employee should be like, it would be a photo of Rosalind Newman,” Commissioner Gary Heaton told HCP sports editor Stephen Forsha this week.
Gary, I couldn’t agree more.
Many years ago, Mrs. Newman’s late husband and my late father (my dad wrote the book on being “late”!) were very good friends and, as such, I have known Mrs. Newman for all of her 30 years as a public servant, plus another 10 or so. There is not a finer citizen among us.
The real question, however, for Highland County is this: Are we really supposed to expect Commissioners Gary Heaton, Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin to function without Mrs. Newman’s assistance? Hmm.
In addressing this conundrum (where have we seen that word recently?), one commissioner told me they were keeping Mrs. Newman on “speed dial.” Another commish said they were installing a “Bat Phone” for her, but not at the county taxpayers’ expense.
I suspect, in fact, I am quite certain, that Rosie Newman has not only properly trained her likely successor, Deputy Clerk Debbie Sansone, but I am also sure she would also do anything and everything possible in order to help her county. That’s just the type of person she is. My hope is that she doesn’t have to. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Roz. Your family and friends are proud of you and appreciate your many contributions.
This past Monday, I had the opportunity to visit a few of my old haunts to our south, including one or two of which did not serve draft beer or wormwood concoctions.
After arriving at work on Main Street at 4 a.m. (my working hours are a real topic of conversation, suddenly; although they never used to be and the hours haven’t changed), I put in a reasonably good five hours and headed to the Adams County commissioners meeting as part of my Southern State Community College obligations.
It was good to meet with Commissioners Roger Rhonemus, Brian Baldridge and Justin Cooper. It was, as always, very good to see Adams County Economic Development Director Elaine Collins again.
When I gave her my “brand new” business card, courtesy of Mr. Charlie Spaeth, Elaine said, “Rory, I can always find you.”
Adams County is most fortunate to have had Elaine Collins as its economic development director for the past decade. However, Elaine, like Rosalind Newman, has her sights set on retirement. That will be a sad day for Adams County.
And then I showed up at The Portsmouth Daily Times Monday afternoon and saw Gail Wendt for the first time in 15 years. And, unlike me, she hasn’t aged a day. Neither has Tammy Wheeler. Must be that Ohio River water!
After working, either full-time or part-time, at seven newspapers and four different publishing companies in the past two decades, it’s nice to find a place or two where you’re still welcomed. It’s especially nice to be welcomed close to home.
My son’s principal at North Adams High School, Mr. Steve Schad, can be heard saying “Life is good,” frequently over the school’s public address system. Yes, Principal Schad, it is. And it is even better when old friends remember you and seem happy to see you. (Even if they are just pretending!)
Wednesday, Nov. 11 was, as all of us ought to know, Veterans Day. This year’s observance at the Hillsboro VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 9094 provided an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by America’s veterans and also an opportunity to say thank you.
Having spent many hours at the VFW as a child, I was often in awe of the local veterans from World War II, the Korean War (The Forgotten War) and the Vietnam War.
Each year, there are fewer and fewer veterans from World War II. This Greatest Generation has long been recognized for victoriously fighting the Axis nations, then returning home to build a strong and lasting post-war and post-Depression economy.
Like many of you, I grew up around family friends and relatives who served in the Second World War. Rarely, did any of them speak about the war. And when they did, it was, more often than not, just a humorous recollection. Like Harlan Beam, who once told me about a small platoon in trouble with a French farmer after they decided a fresh-cut steak would taste better than C-Rations. When the commanding officer asked why they killed the farmer’s cow, Harlan replied: “It was giving away our position!”
America’s veterans are, indeed, a very special breed of person. We cannot thank them enough. Nevertheless, to VFW Commander Rick Wilkin and all Highland County veterans, we offer our sincere and humble appreciation for your service.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]