Out-going Lawrence County officials honored at reception

Three retiring Lawrence County officials were honored at a special punch-and-cake reception at the Historic Lawrence County Courthouse in Mt. Vernon Monday, Dec. 17.
Out-going Lawrence County Presiding Commissioner Sam Goodman, Circuit Clerk Steve Kahre and Recorder of Deeds Pam Robertson were presented plaques as tokens of appreciation for their years of service to Lawrence County.
Each of the officials had their own personal reasons for deciding to retire. Robertson said with her current term ending just short of her 65th birthday, she decided the time had come to take another path.
“I didn’t want to work another full four-year term, and I didn’t want to leave the job open for the governor to appoint anybody, so it was just a perfect time for me to go,” she said.
Goodman also said he felt it was time to try something different.
“It was time,” he said. “I’m 68 years old, and I’ve got things I want to do. I feel like we’ve got the budget headed in the right direction … and I feel like it’s a good time to go out and enjoy my life a little.”While she’s looking forward to not having to work every day, Robertson said she will miss a job where she said she “never had a bad day.” She also said she would miss “the customers that come in, and all the friends I’ve made over the years.”
Goodman also said he wouldn’t miss “wrestling with the budget,” but he would miss the people he’s worked with during his time as commissioner.
“The people in the courthouse have been great; I consider every one of them a friend, and (also) the people of Lawrence County,” he said. “They’ve always treated me well, and I hope I’ve treated them just as well.”
Kahre also said he was at the right point to end his career and move on.
“I’ve got my full state retirement maxed out, and so it doesn’t pay me to stay in longer,” he said.
Kahre said he would miss pretty much every aspect of his job.
“I’m going to definitely miss the employees and the judges, working with them every day, but I enjoy meeting the public too, so I’m going to miss all of it,” he said.
What will he not miss?
“Probably the changing technology all of the time,” he said. “It’s hard to keep up with all of it.”
Each of the officials had their own plans for how they plan to enjoy retirement.
“My plan is not to have a plan,” Robertson joked. “I’m just going to spend more time with my grandkids, catch up on my quilting, and we’ll see where life takes us.”
Goodman said he plans to continue working in his survey business part-time, and also said he might go into another venture.
“I’ve had another business opportunity presented to me,” he said. “We’ll see how that goes.”
Kahre said he plans to do a little bit of everything.
“I’m going to travel some,” he said, “and I bought a trike, so I’m going to ride my trike, and play golf and enjoy the grandkids, and hopefully do a lot more with them.”
The officials weren’t the only ones honored at the reception. A plaque was also presented to Pamela Fobair, the outgoing public administrator. She will take over Kahre’s position as circuit clerk on Jan. 1, 2019.
Asked what she is most looking forward to in her new job, Fobair said, ‘Not being on call 24/7.”