NORWICH – Retiring Chenango County Treasurer and Budget Officer William E. Evans received a standing ovation for 24 years of service Monday at the final meeting of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors for 2010.
Evans was recognized for providing leadership and sound financial management to the residents of Chenango County “in the Evans family tradition,” stated a resolution that was adopted by the board. Bill Evans followed in the footsteps of his father Albert J. Evans, whose political career spanned from 1958-1986, and included many years as county treasurer.
Earlier this month, members of the Chenango County Financial Committee took the opportunity to praise the outgoing treasurer for keeping budget increases less than 1 percent every year and for growing county surplus.
“Chenango County owes you an awful lot for the position we are in,” said Finance Chairman Lawrence Wilcox, R-Oxford.
Evans entered politics and government at the age of 25 when he was elected councilman for the Town of Norwich. He served as town justice in the town and later became a member of the Norwich Industrial Development Association.
Evans acknowledged his staff for “making me look good for 24 years.” He said it had been a pleasure to serve “in this community that’s meant so much to me and my family.”
Chenango County Chairman of the Board Richard Decker wiped away a tear upon expressing his appreciation to Evans, and jokingly said, “You never let me carry the bag to the bank, except for one time.”
Politics has changed a lot since he first took office, Evans told the Finance Committee.
“The stigma taken on with politics ... it didn’t used to be a dirty word. With all that’s gone on, and we just have to look up in Albany to see it. It started out as statesmanship, but that has certainly transcended into something else,” he said.
He said he was proud to have been involved in “laying farms and fence within and without government for the good folks of Chenango County.”