After more than two decades as an elected official, the chairman of the Athens Township Trustees will soon leave the political spotlight.
Dick Shaw, chairman of the Athens Township Trustees and member of the Athens County Strategic Committee on Hydraulic Fracturing, said he will retire from both positions this fall, effective Sept. 30.
Shaw became a trustee in 1990, 12 years after both his parents left office as fiscal officer and township clerk, he said. Shaw was also born and raised in Athens, and was involved in many community events throughout the years outside the political sphere.
“I did Athens Christmas parade as Santa Claus, I was on the fair board, and I was with the Red Cross. I’ve always been involved in something,” Shaw said, adding that he will continue volunteer work after retirement.
Although Shaw kept busy with many outside activities, he also kept busy working as a trustee. Throughout his career, the Board has paved roads and helped the Richland Volunteer Fire District create levies and build a firehouse. Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the township budget, maintaining community parks and providing assistance to the poor.
Trustee Vice Chairman Ted Linscott and Trustee Tommy Adkins said that Shaw was a pleasure to work with; he was a good, hard-working trustee.
“(We) all worked together, and never fussed about anything,” said Adkins, who has known Shaw for about 30 years. “We discussed (issues) like adults.”
Linscott added that although Shaw will be missed in the office, he will be available to keep in touch. After Shaw retires, someone will be appointed to replace him for the remainder of his term. In 2013, Athens will elect a new trustee.
“I’m going to miss him, and I wish him all the luck in the world,” Linscott said.
As the trustees consider what will happen with Shaw’s position in the future, Shaw also spoke of his hopes for the board once he leaves.
“(I hope they) carry on with the programs we’ve been doing, basically,” he said. “(Athens County Engineer) Archie Stanley once told me, ‘If you pave a road today, tomorrow that road starts to deteriorate.’ I’m sure they’ll handle it.”
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