TOWNSHEND — I am writing regarding your excellent article about Jamaica and specifically about the office of Town Clerk [“Jamaica voters give the nod to town charter,” Feb. 2].
First, however, I congratulate Bonnie West for her devoted and excellent performance in that office. Later in this letter, I will surprise the reader with a remark made by the Town Clerk whom Bonnie followed.
Let's go back about 50-plus years - 1957 to be exact - when I was Town clerk and Treasurer of Jamaica. My family and I lived in a large house in town next door to Ray Wilder, the then-Town Clerk and Treasurer. He was unmarried and lived with his sister. His office was in his home.
In February 1957, Ray passed away suddenly. The selectmen asked if I would take over his duties until Town Meeting in March. I did so. At the March Town Meeting, I was elected Town Clerk and Treasurer with the stipulation that my salary would be doubled to $800 per year plus 1 percent of the taxes collected.
Having plenty of room in our house on the ground floor made it ideal for the office. I was expected to provide heat, lights, and telephone. From Ray's office, I received a manual typewriter and a manual adding machine.
I held the positions of Town Clerk and Treasurer from 1957 to 1968. Since the office was open only Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays (payday for town employees), my wife and I ran the school bus and operated a real estate and insurance business; I also built summer cottages in my spare time.
When I decided to retire in 1968, I was succeeded by Tracy Newton, with Bonnie West as his assistant. When he retired, Bonnie took over. Tracy privately confided to me that she wouldn't be able to handle the job.
Well, some 35 years later, he was definitely wrong.