×

Salem Township clerk/ fiscal officer wrapping up 20 years in post

HAPPY RETIREMENT — March 16 marked the last Salem Township Trustees’ meeting for Judy Greer, center, the outgoing clerk/fiscal officer. The Richmond woman served in that capacity for 20 years. With her are, from left, trustee Tom McConnell; Kim Petrisko, who takes Greer’s place, effective April 1; Greer’s husband, Bill; and Kelly Prokopakis, trustee. -- Janice Kiaski

RICHMOND — When the third Monday of the month rolls around, Judy Greer will be finding other things to do.

Her habit was to be at the Glenn Mills Community Senior Center in Richmond for the Salem Township Trustees’ meeting, serving in her capacity as the township’s clerk/fiscal officer.

It’s a position she’s held since first being elected in 1999 and taking office on April 1, 2000, when Dave Miller, Glenn Mills and Jay Collins were the township trustees.

Twenty years later, she leaves the post, serving alongside trustees Tom McConnell, Kelly Prokopakis and Bud Mercer.

“I love her, and she’s been an A-one clerk/fiscal officer for 20 years,” McConnell said before the start of the trustees’ March 16 meeting. “She’s been a good asset to Salem Township,” added McConnell, a trustee for 18 years.

Greer, 79, is a lifelong Richmond resident who resides with her husband of 19 years, Bill. She has four children and one step-daughter — Lynne Modranski, Tim Meyer, Leanna Arbogast, Brenda Woods and Tracie Greer Sampson — along with 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Her work history includes the license bureau, M&M Hardware, M&M Bank, Lancia Nursing Homes and Kuester Implement.

Being the bookkeeper is how Greer described what a clerk/fiscal officer does — working with government money, paying bills and keeping a checking account. “There have not been a lot of changes, but with the oil and gas coming into the county, there were a few changes,” she noted of changes and responsibilities the position has undergone over the years.

“This has been a great job, and I have worked with some really great people,” Greer said. “I think we have one of the best townships in Jefferson County, and the residents of Salem Township have been wonderful to work for.”

Retirement will bring more time for more things.

“There will be a little more time to do the things I like to do and not worry about getting bills paid or getting ready for a meeting, but I did enjoy the meetings. The last few years it has been like working with my kids. They (the trustees) were all the age of my kids,” Greer said.

Greer is officially finished March 31, and Kim Petrisko will begin April 1.

“I want to wish her good luck,” Greer said. “She has a good group of trustees to work with, and I know they will help her get settled in.”

Petrisko said she is looking forward to beginning her duties.

“She is an icon for the whole Jefferson County fiscal officers, and I’ve got pretty big shoes to fill,” Petrisko said. “She’s been very helpful with transitioning me, and I’m excited to take over but a little nervous because she is who she is. I have been coming to the meetings for well over a year just to see what’s going on and how the township works and sitting with Judy for the last few months with actual hands-on after I got elected. Hopefully it’s an easy transition,” Petrisko said.

“We are sure going to miss her,” noted Prokopakis, a trustee for six years. “She has done an amazing job for our township. She is the glue that holds our township together,” Prokopakis said of Greer.

“She has been working a lot with Kim, and I think we’re going to have a pretty smooth transition, but we will definitely miss Judy,” Prokopakis said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today