Orrick shows appreciation for long-time clerk
Linda Brookshier, Richmond News Staff
07-20-2009
June of 1982 saw President Ronald Reagan in his first term of office. It was also the year when Jeanette Hensley of Orrick began working as the city clerk for the City of Orrick.
After 27 years, many people expressed their appreciation and good wishes to her at Orrick Community Center on July 12, wishing her well as she steps into a new phase of life – retirement. Around 100 people attended.
Hensley was asked to reflect on her career and plans for her future.
“It’s been a good job for me. I enjoyed the people that I came in contact with on a daily basis,” she said.
With a career that spans three decades, Hensley has worked with many mayors – nine in total. They are: Lloyd Smith, Donald Keith Blyth, Jimmy Windsor, Cindy Dunwoodie, Jason Offutt, Jeff John, Patsy Schreier, Shirley Taylor and current Mayor Marilyn Butler.
Hensley said she takes away good memories of “the people” and remembers the challenges and difficulties navigating through the Flood of 1993. Prior to the flood, Jeanette worked out of her home. After the flood, a temporary office was located where the bar area of Fubbler’s restaurant now exists, until her office was moved to the current location at Orrick City Hall.
“In regard to the flood, most homeowners were pretty well settled after one year. In working with the city issues and FEMA, it was about two years before everything was settled.”
Some of the highlights she remembered were the grant that the city received for the new water tower and the bond for the new streets after the ‘93 flood.
“The bond will be paid off this year,” she said.
Retirement may allow Hensley more free time for family and social pursuits.
“I’m enjoying what I’m doing, and not having all the responsibility. I’m a member of Orrick’s Happy Hatters, one of Orrick’s Red Hat Chapters.”
Jeanette is not only the wife to Doug Hensley, a retired Orrick elementary principal and coach, but also the mother of three adult children, Kim Matthews of Norborne, Kevin Jeffries of Orrick, and Leigh Ann Koval of Lee’s Summit, and grandmother of seven.
Husband Doug jokes about plans for his newly retired wife. He said he has now purchased a small hand bell to ring when he wants his wife to wait on him. Hmmm.
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