After 24 years of working at the Seneca County Board of Elections, director Janet Leahy is to retire, effective Dec. 31.
Leahy, a Tiffin native and Calvert High School graduate, worked as director of the Board of Elections for 12 years, and she worked as a clerk for 12 years.
"I'm going to miss working with Andrea, Donna and Lorrie," she said. "We've built a great working relationship here, and I'm sure the girls will continue with that. And I've asked them to add me to their poll worker pool, so we'll keep in touch."
Leahy took the job as a clerk at the board, after working at St. Mary's school cafeteria for ten years, when her friend and former co-worker told her about an opening at the board.
She said her experience helped her transition to becoming the director at the board.
"It helped enormously that I was clerk here for 12 years," Leahy said. "I was familiar with a lot of the office jobs, but it was a change because there were a lot of administrative duties that were added."
She said up until 15 months ago, the staff was the same for most of her time at the Board of Elections. She said one staff member started shortly after her, and worked there for 22 years.
"She's taught us a lot," said Andrea Carroll, who was recently announced as Leahy's successor as board director.
Carroll said Leahy has a "good disposition" as a boss and "was fun to be around."
"We're going to miss her a lot, she's been great to work with," said Donna Theis, a clerk at the board, and a candidate for the vacant deputy director position.
Lorrie Wolfelt, who also works as a clerk at the office, said Leahy was one of the best bosses she has worked for.
"I'm looking forward to spending more time with my husband, Mark, and my family, especially my grandchildren," Leahy said. "I'm just going to take time and enjoy life."
