Retiring county commissioners honored

Van Wert independent staff report

Retiring Van Wert County Commissioners Gary Adams and Clair Dudgeon were feted during a retirement bash held in the commissioners’ office on Thursday.

Friends and other county employees and elected officials, including former commissioner Harold Merkle, and his wife, Janet, stopped by during a reception held from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday to honor the service of the two longtime commissioners.

Adams, first elected in 1985, is the county’s longest serving commissioner ever with 28 years of service, while Dudgeon, who leaves after 12 years in the commissioner’s post, is tied with several other commissioners for second place on the list.

Both men announced earlier this year they wouldn’t seek new terms, paving the way for spirited primary election contests in May that resulted in the election of Sheriff Stan Owens, who is leaving that position after 24 years in office and 36 years in law enforcement, and local attorney Todd Wolfrum to replace Adams and Dudgeon.

One of Owens’ top deputies, Tom Riggenbach, will be taking his place as sheriff in January.

Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger, while only midway through his first term, will be the commissioner with the most seniority when the new year begins.

Lichtensteiger has said he has very much enjoyed serving with Adams and Dudgeon, noting it has been “a learning process.” He also noted that he is looking forward to working with Owens and Wolfrum when their terms begin in January.