Final adjournment; Conclusion of Lyon County Commission business Thursday morning marks the end of a 16-year career for longtime chairman Rollie Martin.
Adjournment of the Lyon County Commission’s weekly action session was the final adjournment for longtime County Commission Chairman Rollie Martin Thursday morning.
Martin is set to retire officially Monday after 16 years as Lyon County District 3 Commissioner. Following the adjournment of Thursday’s meeting, Martin spoke with KVOE News and expressed his gratitude to the voters of Lyon County who chose him to serve on the commission, his various colleagues on the commission and within the county and his family for their unwavering support throughout his tenure.
Martin summed up the last 16 years by calling it a tremendous learning experience.
Following Thursday’s commission meeting a reception for Martin was held in the Lyon County Courthouse jury assembly room which was well attended by friends, family and colleagues past and present. Among them was former Lyon County Commissioner Scott Briggs who retired back in 2022 after 16 years of service on the commission, 14 of which he spent with Martin.
Briggs says he and Martin quickly went from strangers to good friends adding Martin’s personal values and dedication to his family stood out to him from day one.
County Controller Dan Williams says Thursday was bittersweet as Martin was the last remaining member of the commission which hired him years ago. In thinking of the legacy Martin leaves behind, Williams says Martin should be remembered for a great many things but especially his consistency.
County Commission Second District Representative Doug Peck has worked with and for Martin throughout his tenure first as a member of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and later as a colleague. Peck summed up Martin’s tenure on the commission in four words.
First District Commissioner Ken Duft says Martin has been a great colleague and mentor and noted he has set the county up for nothing but success moving forward.
County Counselor Molly Priest says she will always remember Martin’s care and compassion for the county’s various employees.
Martin’s retirement is one of many for the county over the next few days. Retirement receptions will take place Friday from 1pm to 4 pm for County Clerk and Election Officer Tammy Vopat and at 2 pm for Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman. Vopat is retiring after 14 years as clerk while Goodman has led the County Attorney’s office for the last 24 years.
In November, voters chose Chris Bartel to replace Martin on the County Commission. Assistant County Clerk and Deputy Election Officer Amie Jackson is the new County Clerk and Election Officer. First Assistant Attorney Amy Aranda will be the new County Attorney.
Bartel, Jackson and Aranda will be sworn into their respective offices Monday inside of the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
As part of Thursday’s action agenda, commissioners approved a resolution from Lyon County Controller Dan Williams to waive GAAP requirements in K.S.A. 75-1120 as well as the submission of an invoice from KCAMP for the annual liability insurance premium for just over $530,000 as well as a better than $100,000 transfer from the county’s general fund to the tort liability fund.
The Lyon County Highway Department also submitted a better than $334,000 quote from G.W. Van Keppel Company for an updated oil distributor with plans to trade in the county’s 2002 model distributor and a resolution adopting the 2023 annual review of the solid waste management plan of Chase County, the City of Emporia and Lyon County. Both items were approved unanimously.
Finally, commissioners received a presentation on “The Wall That Heals” from local veterans Richelle Birk, Clay Childs and Ed Rathke all of whom will join KVOE’s Primetime Newsmaker at 7:20 am Tuesday.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its regular action meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside of the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
