Community officials and residents filed into the Richland County Board of Commissioners board room Tuesday to bid farewell to Commissioner Ed Olson, who is retiring Dec. 31.
A reception was held in Olson’s honor for his 28 years of service as commissioner.
Bob Zettler, the county’s workforce development specialist, said he’s known Olson since 1979.
“He’s always been interested in the community maybe a lot more than people really realize,” Zettler said. “All commissioners are interested in the community, but I think he has it in his heart and really believes in doing what he can for all kinds of people. He’s also very honest and straightforward with you. If he can’t do something for somebody, he’ll tell them and why.”
He continued, “He is also a very humorous and enjoyable man to be around. A lot of people may not know that, but he is very, very quick-witted, and I’ve enjoyed knowing him for all of those years.”
Olson has been credited for helping implement several cost-saving measures within the county. In 1988, he inaugurated a self-funded medical insurance program for county employees, which cut the county’s general fund premium from $1.5 million in 1987 to $1 million in 1988.
One undertaking Olson is especially proud to have participated in was the establishment of the Richland County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). In 1987, he chaired the taskforce that created the agency to improve payments to children.
Today, the county CSEA collects $9 in support payments for every $1 of public money expended, while the state average is about $5.45 for each dollar spent, and the national average is about $5.15 for every dollar spent.
“He clearly has been a very firm and steady financial part of keeping this community above water for many, many years and into and out of many circumstances,” said Zettler, adding, “He probably has the best financial mind that this county has ever had.”
Commissioner Gary Utt said he has his own ‘Ed file’ in his filing cabinet of several emails and overviews Olson has released. “I’ve saved all of those in case I want to refer back to them,” Utt said.
“He’ll be sorely missed. He’s got a wealth of knowledge…I would bet that I will be calling him at different times throughout this next year,” he said.
“We’re certainly welcoming Marilyn [John] on board of course, but at the same time, we’re sorry to see him go.”
Shelby Mayor and Commissioner-Elect Marilyn John said she has big shoes to fill.
“It’s amazing the job that he’s done over the last 28 years,” she said. While she has acquired some knowledge in preparation of becoming commissioner, she noted, “I have a lot more to learn, but I’m looking forward to the new challenge and I hope to make Commissioner Olson proud.”
John will take office Jan. 1.
During the reception, members of the Richland County Emergency Management Agency presented Olson with a plaque as a way to say ‘thank you’ for all of his support.
Olson commented, “I want to thank the people of Richland County for giving me chance to serve. I’m finishing 28 years, and it’s been a privilege. And during that time we’ve had some very significant progress in county government. I mean there are things we’re doing today that we were not doing back in 1985 when I came into office—everything from the building of new jail to the work of the Child Support Enforcement Agency.”
He plans on taking it easy during retirement. “I’m not going to rush into anything,” he said. “I’ve got some writing that I want to do for myself…some of it may be for publishing, some it’s just for my family’s use—things like family histories and genealogies.”
Prior to serving as commissioner, Olson served on active duty as a naval officer from 1969-1972. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve at 17 years old while a senior in high school to enter the Reserve Officer Candidate School program. He drilled as an enlisted reservist while attending Ohio University. He retired from the Naval Reserve with the permanent rank of commander after 28 years of service.
He graduated from Ohio University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in interpersonal communication.
Olson later became a data communications manager with United Telephone Company of Ohio. In between terms as commissioner, he was the director of marketing for the civil engineering firm, K.E. McCartney and Associates, Inc. from 2001-2002.
