Amelia Mayor Todd Hart, right, presented public works supervisor Ricky Rowland with an engraved clock recognizing him for his service to the village during the April 23 meeting.

Amelia Mayor Todd Hart, right, presented public works supervisor Ricky Rowland with an engraved clock recognizing him for his service to the village during the April 23 meeting.
By Kristin Bednarski
Sun staff

Amelia Village Council members recognized public works supervisor Ricky Rowland during their April 23 council meeting.

Rowland retired from his position at the end of April.

“While he was here he did an excellent job,” Amelia Mayor Todd Hart said about Rowland. “He will be someone who is difficult to replace. He had so much knowledge.”

Hart said Rowland knew a lot about running the department including handling roads and cemeteries in the village.

“I am glad he is getting to retire,” Hart said.

Councilwoman Renee Gerber said she would work hard to make sure that the veterans memorial Rowland began working on years ago be completed.

“You fought long and hard for that veterans memorial,” Gerber said. “I will make sure that it gets here. You are the reason it is happening.”

Rowland said he has enjoyed his eight years working at the village.

“I just loved the atmosphere and the job itself,” Rowland said. “It was nice I could see things accomplished.”

Rowland said it took several years after he started for the village to be on a better track financially, but once everything was running smoothly he said they were able to accomplish a lot.

“I hope the next supervisor will be able to carry on and keep everything on track,” Rowland said. “We were on a good track, it is there, all they have to do is carry on and continue with some of the projects we weren’t able to do before.”

Rowland said he is looking forward to working around the house, gardening and keeping bees now that he is retired. He said he is also building a vacation home in Holmes County.

Prior to his work at the village, he said he worked for the school district for 38 years.

Council members presented Rowland with an engraved clock during the April 23 meeting, and wished him well in his retirement.

Hart said they will be looking for someone to replace Rowland. He said they will probably advertise for a new public works supervisor and will decide how to proceed at the next council meeting.