Dec 15, 2013 2 min read

At first blush, it was just routine business last week by the Greene County Salary Board.

There were the motions to approve promotions and set hourly rates for some employees, and then came the realization that three elected row officers, who, among them, have given 90 years of service to the county.

First came the acknowledgment to accept the retirement of Richard Ketchem, who has been sheriff since 1990. Then came the retirement of Thomas Headlee, who, for the last 38 years, was the county’s register of wills and recorder of deeds. Finally, the salary board acknowledged the retirement of Republican Jury Commissioner Rosalind Laur, who served since 1984. All three will be leaving effective Dec. 31.

Ketchem’s retirement has been known for some time. He announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election for another term because of health reasons. His successor will be Brian Tennant who captured both party nominations in the spring primary and will be sworn in as the new sheriff in January.

Headlee will be leaving half way through his 10th term and it will be up to Gov. Tom Corbett to appoint a replacement.

Laur, meanwhile, also announced earlier this year she would be retiring and not seeking re-election to another term. That became somewhat of a moot issue when Greene and other counties voted to abolish the position of jury commissioner, a decision subsequently upheld by the state’s appellate courts.

All three have served Greene County well, and we wish them happiness and good health in their retirements.