After almost four decades of service, Chatham-Kent's (CK) clerk and director of municipal governance is retiring.
Judy Shantz, whose hometown is Ridgetown, began working municipally 36 years ago, pre-amalgamation.
"Every municipality at that time was a little bit different. I've learned stuff ranging from drainage, and in some of the smaller municipalities, you kind of learned to be a generalist about all things, like taxes, and public works, and licensing," said Shantz.
When the amalgamation took place in 1998, she became a Customer Service Representative for CK. She was promoted to several positions before becoming the municipal clerk and director of municipal governance 16 years ago.
"I think getting to know a little bit about other municipalities within CK and then just knowing all of the different services that a municipality offers definitely broadened my knowledge," Shantz added.
As she looked back at her time spent serving the community, Shantz explained that some of her happiest moments were more recent.
"I've had lots of great memories, just being part of this community," Shantz continued. "Over the past three years, I was able to start doing civil marriage ceremonies, and that is definitely some of the highlights that I have with the municipality."
She added that CK has offered close to 400 civil marriage ceremonies and she has completed more than half of them.
As her retirement nears, Shantz is looking forward to resting and spending time with family and friends.
Her last council meeting as clerk was held on October 5. The Mayor and several councillors bid her farewell. She then received a standing ovation from council and residents in the audience.
"I'd love to thank my fellow staff that I've worked alongside for the past 36 years. They are all very passionate and knowledgeable in this community, and they work hard. And I want to thank the citizens for allowing me to be their clerk," Shantz said
Chris Bantock has been chosen to take her place and is currently shadowing Shantz through election season.
