A pair of careers spanning a combined 40 years were celebrated inside of the Lyon County Courthouse Friday afternoon with two notable figures in county leadership now off into retirement.
Tammy Vopat has led the Lyon County Clerk’s Office for the last 16 years with her entire career with the county spanning over two decades after seven years in the Lyon County Appraisers office before her role as clerk and the county’s Election Officer. During a retirement reception in her honor, Vopat spoke with KVOE News and says while her time in office wasn’t always easy she wouldn’t change a single moment.
As for what’s next for Vopat, she says she plans to step away from election matters entirely noting she has had her time and it has been a great time.
Longtime friend and former Lyon County Commissioner Scott Briggs attended Vopat’s reception and says Vopat was a force within the county. Briggs says Vopat was much more than just a co-worker noting his favorite qualities about her were her honesty and the fact that you always knew where you stood with her.
Her longtime assistant clerk and election officer Amy Jackson will replace Vopat as County Clerk and Election Officer. Jackson says her time working with Vopat has helped to prepare her for stepping into the role of clerk and election officer.
Separately Friday a reception was held for Marc Goodman who served as the county’s chief prosecutor for 24 years. Goodman tells KVOE News it was hard to put into words exactly what the last two-plus decades have meant to him, however, he says it has been an amazing journey.
Goodman says he has no idea what’s ahead for him, but he is very excited to find out.
Speaking on Goodman’s behalf during Friday’s celebration was 5th Judicial District Chief Judge Jeffery Larson who says Goodman was truly “magnanimous” in his role as county attorney.
Incoming County Attorney Amay Aranda has worked with Goodman almost throughout the entirety of his tenure as county attorney and thanked him for his years of service and mentorship throughout that time.
Emporia Police Chief Ed Owens echoed that sentiment and says Goodman taught him how to apply “the rule of law into law enforcement.”
Vopat and Goodman’s receptions were the final of a trio held over the past week as a reception was also held Thursday in honor of retiring Lyon County Commissioner Rollie Martin who is stepping down after 16 years on the commission, 14 of which he served as commission chairman. Replacing Martin on the commission will be Chris Bartel who, like Aranda and Jackson, was chosen by county voters in November.
Bartel, Aranda and Jackson will be sworn into their respective roles during a ceremony inside the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers at 9 am Monday.
