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Boeschen sworn in as collector, Leftwich checks outFeb 28, 2011 (The Sedalia Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The final county official elected last fall took the oath of office Monday on an afternoon where courthouse employees welcomed a new colleague and bid farewell to another. Pettis County Collector Marsha Boeschen, elected in November in a sweep that saw Republicans win each of four contested races, was sworn in Monday to take over the position from Robert Leftwich, who did not seek re-election after 36 years in office. Boeschen thanked her family and supporters for their assistance throughout her campaign, and pledged to provide professional and courteous service to the residents who voted her into office. "I'm very excited about taking office, I've thought about this for a number of years," she said. "I feel that I can give residents and taxpayers of Pettis County professional and friendly service in the office." Since she was elected, Boeschen, a former county assessor, has been in contact with Leftwich as well as other collectors in the area to prepare to step into the new role. She said she also has been meeting with a software company in recent weeks to study the current services and look into potential updates in the office. "There's some new things I have in mind that I would like to offer the citizens of Pettis County. And if it's financially feasible, we'll be doing them," she said. County officials and residents also had the chance to pay tribute to Leftwich for his years in office during a farewell party Monday afternoon at the courthouse. Leftwich, who was first elected Pettis County collector in 1974, said he was looking forward to enjoying his retirement and confident he was leaving the office in capable hands. He said the thing he will remember most about his years on the job is "the friendliness of Pettis County people." "It's been a great group of people to work for," Leftwich said. Presiding Commissioner John Meehan described Leftwich as a dedicated and respected public servant who led the collector's office through many changes during his decades on the job. "He's been a tremendous service to Pettis County," Meehan said. "He has taken the collector's office from paper-only to a computer age." Boeschen said Leftwich had earned the respect and admiration of the county during his time in the office, and she hoped to match the level of service he provided. "I would like to be able to give the people the very same courteous and professional service, and honesty and integrity is the most important part," she said. To see more of The Sedalia Democrat or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sedaliademocrat.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Sedalia Democrat, Sedalia, Mo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |