TF Public Works Director retires after 27 years

After 27 years, it is time to say “happy trails” to a man who was instrumental in maintaining a town. Thompson Falls Public Works Director Jerry Lacy has thrown in the hat for a new life outside of public works for a life in the free-for-all of retirement.

It was 1991 when Lacy accepted the position, war efforts in Iraq were underway, the county had just agreed to make the courthouse a “smoke free” building, and a heavy winter rain and snow had just caused the Old Jail Museum roof to collapse. Handpicked by then-mayor Sterling Larsen, Lacy was one of 11 applicants for the job and left his position as foreman at Vinson Timber Products in Trout Creek to begin work for the city. Lacy took over the job from retiring Andy Marich.

Throughout his career with the City of Thompson Falls, he has worked with the council in its many forms and seen mayors come and go. Lacy cemented himself as a go-to man for information regarding the city’s infrastructure functions. Current Mayor, Mark Sheets, noted that Lacy’s experience has proven invaluable time and time again, and has shown initiative and assertiveness in his position above and beyond the bare minimum.

“He was always a strong advocate for replacing our water mains and upgrades to the system,” said Sheets, “but he also had the cost feasibility and available resources of the city in mind on anything he did.”

When it came to researching to have prepared proposals or answers to the city council’s questions, Sheets described Lacy’s mode of operation as “diligent.” Sheets also shared that Lacy wasn’t afraid to try more than one option for solutions. “When it came to street repair, Jerry tried different methods to see what would last the longest and get the city the most bang for our buck. And that was his approach to everything in his job.”

When running a small government, cost effectiveness is key, and it was well known that Lacy wouldn’t propose anything until he had checked the pros and cons of the issue and different options for the best outcome. “Being in his position for so long, he had accumulated a professional network of contractors, agencies and suppliers that made him an efficient asset and a wealth of knowledge for us in City Hall,” Sheets explained, “as mayor, I relied on him heavily for information and his opinion was – and still is - held in high esteem.” More than once, the council did not move forward with a project until it had the Lacy stamp of approval.

A retirement party was held in Lacy’s honor last week, where co-workers were able to give him a few final good-humored jabs outside of the walls of professionalism. He has spent the last few months training his replacement, Neil Harnett, to get him and the crew off to a running start. “Luckily, we haven’t seen the last of him,” said Sheets, “as he has agreed to be available for consulting when needed and share his input when issues come up that he would likely be the best source of knowledge around.”

Mayor Sheets added to the farewells given by friends and city workers, “Jerry has done an excellent job in his time and can be credited for his behind-the-scenes work on many good things that benefitted the citizens of Thompson Falls. We wish him the best.”