It was a busy morning of accolades during the Board of Supervisors Dec. 15 meeting as the supervisors feted several retiring county employees including one of their own — Lori Simspon. Board Chairman Kevin Goss presented certificates of appreciation to Simpson as well as County Clerk Recorder Kathy Williams, Plumas County Museum Director Scott Lawson, County Counsel Craig Settlemire and Agricultural Commissioner Tim Gibson.
Supervisor Lori Simpson receives a plaque from Board Chairman Kevin Goss. Simpson was elected supervisor in 2008, following a career with the county that included work at the library and the museum. She told the audience that she is the second generation in her family to serve the public in Plumas County. Her father was was a Sheriff’s deputy for 20 years.
It doesn’t take a $300 suit to do the job that Kathy Williams has held as the Plumas County Clerk/Recorder. Listing things she learned to do over the years, she explained that someone wearing jeans and cowboy boots could do the job. Williams said she was 12-years-old when she and her mother first drove by the Plumas County Courthouse. She remembers telling her mother that she was going to work there someday. Williams has worked in the clerk’s office since 1988 and been clerk/recorder for the past 18 years.
Kevin Goss presents Plumas County Museum Director Scott Lawson with a plaque honoring his years of public service. Among other comments, County Counsel Craig Settlemire stated that Lawson’s retirement represents a loss to Plumas County and its historical memory. He referred to him as “Mr. History.”
County Counsel Craig Settlemire receives a plaque of appreciation from Board Chairman Kevin Goss during the Dec. 15, Board of Supervisors meeting. Despite Settlemire’s insistence that he not be included in the day’s lineup of retirees, Goss honored him anyway. Settlemire said that in his 40 years of practicing law that the most rewarding part is working for the public. Supervisor Sherrie Thrall said she started making a list of everything Settlemire has done since becoming county counsel. “We would be here for two or three days,” if she went through it all.
Plumas County Agriculture Commissioner Tim Gibson is honored with a plaque for his 19 years of service to the county. Gibson said he was stationed at the fairgrounds once while he was fighting a fire with the Forest Service. He happened to look in through a window and quickly realized he was seeing the office of someone employed at the ag office. He remembers saying to himself, “I could work here.” And he made that happen.
