In The News
Henry County says goodbye to Erickson
A large crowd of friends, co-workers and family members turned out to honor retiring Henry County Administrator Dick Erickson on Wednesday, June 25, his last day of work. Erickson (left) and John Sovanski, Vice Chairman of the Henry County Board, display an original painting by Geneseo artist Elaine Hale entitled "Time Was..." that was presented to Erickson by the County Board.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
JOHN SLOAN
HENRY COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
309-883-3202
Erickson marks end
of 28-year county career
"Ask Dick Erickson."
By John Sloan Henry County Public Information
Officer
For
nearly three decades, that’s been the answer to many of the questions asked in
the hallways, offices, courtrooms and conference rooms of the Henry County
courthouse.
Erickson, whose retirement from over 26 years as the county’s chief administrator (28+ as a county employee) will take place in late June, recently received an engraved clock from the Henry County Board recognizing his years of service.
After the presentation, Erickson expressed his appreciation to the current board, and cited the support and assistance he’s received from the chairmen of the fourteen boards he’s worked with, along with the 63 former members of those boards.
"I hope my tenure has measured up to your expectations and dedication in providing the best county government for the people of Henry County," he said.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Retiring Henry County Administrator Dick Erickson and wife, Kathy, with the
engraved clock presented to Erickson by the Henry County Board at the June board
meeting.
During a brief reflection on his county career, Erickson noted a number of milestones that were reached, including:
-An expansion of two party representation
-The first elected female County Board Member
-The Henry County government’s entry into the computer age
-The first elected female Courthouse Official
-The largest Courthouse building project in the County’s 150-year history
-Inclusion of the Courthouse on the National Register of Historic Buildings
-New plans for a comprehensive courthouse complex renovation/upgrade
"The future of Henry County is certain to continue to shine brightly," said
Erickson.
Henry County Board Chairman Tom Nicholson, who made the presentation to Erickson at the June meeting of the board, noted that it had been difficult to capsulize Erickson’s career and the sum total of his contributions to the county, but that the inscription on his clock attempted to do so:
"The County Board of Henry County expresses their appreciation to Henry County Administrator Dick Erickson for 26 years of exemplary administration, dependable counsel, resourceful management, dedicated service, superior professionalism, steadfast loyalty and devoted friendship."
Colleen Gillaspie, Erickson’s former assistant administrator, will assume the duties of Henry County Administrator after Erickson’s last day. Erickson, who is a LaFayette native, and his wife, Kathy, who hails from Galva, look forward to spending more time with their children and grandchildren.
Swanson marks end of
40-year career on Henry County Board
By John Sloan Henry County Public Information
Officer
As most historians will tell you, 1968 was an important year in our nation’s
history. And while the news of the day mostly concentrated on the dramatic
events happening around the globe, another event occurred that year with a
history all its own:
Maurice "Mort" Swanson became a member of the Henry
County Board.
And while a lot has changed over the years, one thing has stayed the same.
Mort Swanson has served Henry County ever since.
Swanson plans to retire from the board at the end of
his current term this year, an event that was noted by current County Board
Chairman Tom Nicholson, who opened the May meeting of the board with a "pop
quiz" directed to the board and spectators. In that quiz, Nicholson asked who
could remember 1968 facts, like the price of a gallon of gas and the winners of
that years’ Oscar and Emmy awards. A final question asked the audience to name
one of the three new county board members that year, a number which included
then-first-year member Swanson. Nicholson then presented Swanson with a plaque
in commemoration of his service to the county.
Swanson’s tenure as a county board member started when that board was made up of
township supervisors from throughout the area...a job he almost
didn’t get.
Photo Caption: Henry County Board Member Maurice "Mort" Swanson (left)
with Henry County Board Chairman Tom Nicholson after Swanson received a
plaque honoring him for 40 years as a board member. Swanson will retire from the
board after his term ends this year.
""When I first ran for township supervisor, I ended up tied with another
candidate," he remembered. "There were two absentee votes to be counted, and I
got them both. So I won by just two votes and went onto the county board."
The job has changed a lot in 40 years. Most noticeable is the kind of hours board members spend in full session.
"Forty years ago, county board meetings lasted about 4 1/2 hours," he said. "We’d meet in the morning, then caucus over lunch before we’d go back and decide on things."
Swanson noted that the change in the meeting process came about when the various county board committees began making decisions instead of just bringing thoughts and recommendations to the full board. That allowed a change to the current system of shorter meetings in the evening.
"At that time, nobody wanted the job because of the time it took," he said. "I was farming and selling equipment in partnership with my brother, so I could get away during the day. Then I’d go back and work on equipment at night."
Swanson’s philosophy as a board member was developed early as a result of some advice he got from a couple of "older guys" who were on the board.
"They said to always spend the county’s money like you would spend your own," he said. "I’ve always kept that in mind. I’ve always thought, ‘if it were my business, would I do that?’"
That attitude has served Swanson well, as indicated by the comments of County Administrator Dick Erickson, who will also retire from county service this year after 28 years, 26 of them as the county board’s s top administrative official.
"He is a dedicated and conscientious County Board Member who has served the citizens of Henry County for four decades," said Erickson. "It has been and continues to be a pleasure working with such a devoted public servant."
Chairman Nicholson echoed that sentiment, despite sometimes finding himself on different sides of various issues with Swanson over the years.
"It has been an honor to serve with Mort for the past twenty years," said Nicholson. "Although we have differed on a number of issues, I have found him to be a wise, sincere, and dedicated member of the County Board."
In his brief comments to the board after receiving the plaque marking his years of service, Swanson said, "I’m going to miss it. It’s been part of my life for 40 years."
Given the level of admiration and respect Swanson received from his peers and associates, it seems most likely that the Henry County Board will miss Mort Swanson as well.
AREA ARTISTS DONATE WORKS TO HENRY COUNTY COURTHOUSE
There are some interesting changes going on inside the Henry County Courthouse.
The 128-year old building now displays the works of area artists on its
main-floor walls, with plans for more throughout the building. The courthouse,
which was dedicated in 1880, features high ceilings and broad expanses of
interior walls, making it a perfect place to exhibit the work, according to
County Board Member Betty Murphy, who is the chairperson of a committee charged
with obtaining and displaying the work.
"The courthouse is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is often
voted the most beautiful building in Henry County," said Murphy, who has been
instrumental in recruiting artists willing to donate their work.
"The interior is
beautiful, too, but the empty walls tended to remind you of a blank page in an
illustrated book."
Other county officials involved in the project include board members Jan May and
Jim King, along with County Administrator Dick Erickson.
Looking for a place to start, Murphy, who is a contributing artist herself,
turned to several members of the Geneseo Art League. The result of her efforts
so far has been the donation of artwork from a dozen Henry County artists,
including Kris Love, Lenora Pritchard, Joyce Mattan, Pauline Swanson, Shirley
Burnett, Sharon Michaelson, Joan DiIulio, Lee Kimball, Rosalee Black, Stan
Carney, Murphy and the late Mrs. Berniece Nicholson, mother of Henry County
Board Chairman Tom Nicholson.
Photo Caption:
*Some of the Henry County
artists who have donated art work for a permanent Henry County Courthouse
collection include (front, l to r) Sharon Michaelson, Shirley Burnett, Lenora
Pritchard, Betty Murphy, Pauline Swanson, Joyce Mattan and Joan DiIulio; and
(back, l to r) Lee Kimball and Kris Love.
"Betty has done a great job of finding talented Henry County artists who are
willing to share their work with us," noted May. "The areas where art has been
hung look wonderful. We look forward to working on the next phase of the project
and including even more artists' work."
The work now seen on the walls inside the public entrance to the courthouse
generally reflects life in Henry County, with the ongoing goal, according to
Murphy, being to provide a visual history of Henry County life for future
visitors.
Photo Captions: *Henry County Board Member Betty Murphy, Chairperson of the
committee that is obtaining art for the Henry Courthouse walls.
"The art of an area reveals its history and its people," she said. "It is
history without words. As this project grows and a collection of work is
displayed, those in the future will understand more about our lives in the late
20th and early 21st centuries."
Many blank walls remain, so Murphy's next task will be to expand her recruitment
efforts to all the areas of Henry County.
"I know there are many talented people throughout our area," she said. "I look
forward to working with them to bring even more beauty and historic value to our
courthouse walls."
Henry County artists interested in donating work to the courthouse can contact
Murphy at 309-234-5254 or volvogirl@frontiernet.net. Individual artist photos
and biographical information will soon be available at
www.henrycty.com.
The Henry County courthouse is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30
pm. Public access is via the main entrance on the north side of the complex.
Editor: For more
information, contact John Sloan, Henry County Public Information Officer
3090-883-3202