County seeking more than a janitor
|
|
January 16, 2014 |
Boundary County Commissioners are looking to
replace a man who is nigh irreplaceable. Jim
Thompson, who has kept the courthouse and county
offices clean and shiny since 2005 after years
at Mt. Hall Elementary, is set to join his wife,
Lila, in retirement February 25.
Commissioners are seeking proposals from all
interested in proving janitorial services in the
Boundary County Courthouse, the extension office
and the appraiser's office, to include the cost
of supplies and a detailed work schedule.
A complete list of job duties is available from
commission clerk Michelle Rohrwasser in the
commissioner's office, 6452 Kootenai Street,
Bonners Ferry.
What that description won't tell you is how
beloved court house custodians can become, nor
how integral they are to the workings of county
government, and Jim joins another Jim to become
a legend among courthouse employees to retire
from the position.
Courthouse custodians have typically worked a
shift that begins at 4 p.m., and the two Jims
always started their shift with a visit to each
office to say "hi!" and ask how everyone was.
For most courthouse employees, it was the
highlight of their day.
Both Jims were prone to show up unannounced at
any time of the day; Jim Thompson, an inveterate
scavenger, to deliver a rare and hard to find
item he'd heard someone mention in passing, Jim
Parlow, an inveterate southerner with a flair
for barbecue, was the central point for county
celebrations and potlucks for years.
Most county employees who've been there for
years, and that's an awesomely large number,
can't name all the elected officials who served
Boundary County during their tenures, but few
ever forget the great janitors who keep that old
building ashine. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
