July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Corwin ready for a slowdown (11/21/07)
By By JACK RONALD-
The way Nancy Culy sees it, sometime about midway through her first day as Jay County Auditor she'll be on the phone.
On the other end of the line: Freda Corwin.
Not only is Corwin retiring Dec. 31 as county auditor, she's taking with her more than 25 years of experience in that courthouse office.
It was May 1, 1982 when she joined the staff of then-auditor Marilyn Coleman.
"When I began work here I was pregnant for my youngest one," Corwin said Tuesday. Today, she's the mother of four and grandmother of 10.
Coleman was serving out the final two years of Ric Monroe's term as auditor, then was elected to two terms of her own. Freda Corwin was there as one of her able lieutenants all 10 years.
When Jane Ann Runyon was elected, then re-elected, Corwin was again a key part of the staff. And when Runyon, now Jay County Clerk, left office, Corwin was the obvious choice as her successor.
But back in 1982, she wasn't so sure she was up to the job.
"At that time, I thought, I'll never learn this," she said. "It's challenging work."
In many ways, the county auditor's office is the center of the courthouse.
The auditor acts as secretary to the county commissioners and the county council and is the main interface between county government and the Indiana General Assembly.
"Everything comes through here," said Corwin, noting that many nights she has taken home drafts of bills before the legislature to make sure she understood their implications for the county.
That's been a challenge, because in recent years it seems that state lawmakers like nothing better than changing the rules for local government. "The last few years, it's been the tax code," said Corwin.
Her advice to Culy, who will be serving a three-year term because of changes by the legislature, is simple: "Just read everything you get in the mail," said Corwin. "If you don't understand it, ask questions."
Both Corwin and Culy had praise for the state auditors' association, which has played a critical role in helping the office stay up to date.
"You have to listen and read," said Corwin.
The final challenge facing her before she leaves office is getting property tax rebate checks out to taxpayers before the end of the year.
County commissioners say they're going to miss her.
"She's dedicated to her work," said commissioner Gary Theurer. "She's spoiled us and has probably saved our butts a time or two with her knowledge. ... It's just amazing the knowledge she's got. (With Corwin) one thing the county did get was their money's worth."
While acknowledging the complexity of the job, Corwin said she doesn't dwell on it. "My approach is, let's be pro-active and let's go forward. ... There've been times I've been aggravated with things, but let's go forward," she said.
Now, said Corwin, "I'm just going to try to semi-retire. ... I'm looking forward not to having my brain stretched to the limits every day."
Her husband, Neal, is skeptical about her ability to slow down, she said. And he's probably right.
"I can't just sit at home. My children are all raised. I'd be bored," said Corwin.[[In-content Ad]]
On the other end of the line: Freda Corwin.
Not only is Corwin retiring Dec. 31 as county auditor, she's taking with her more than 25 years of experience in that courthouse office.
It was May 1, 1982 when she joined the staff of then-auditor Marilyn Coleman.
"When I began work here I was pregnant for my youngest one," Corwin said Tuesday. Today, she's the mother of four and grandmother of 10.
Coleman was serving out the final two years of Ric Monroe's term as auditor, then was elected to two terms of her own. Freda Corwin was there as one of her able lieutenants all 10 years.
When Jane Ann Runyon was elected, then re-elected, Corwin was again a key part of the staff. And when Runyon, now Jay County Clerk, left office, Corwin was the obvious choice as her successor.
But back in 1982, she wasn't so sure she was up to the job.
"At that time, I thought, I'll never learn this," she said. "It's challenging work."
In many ways, the county auditor's office is the center of the courthouse.
The auditor acts as secretary to the county commissioners and the county council and is the main interface between county government and the Indiana General Assembly.
"Everything comes through here," said Corwin, noting that many nights she has taken home drafts of bills before the legislature to make sure she understood their implications for the county.
That's been a challenge, because in recent years it seems that state lawmakers like nothing better than changing the rules for local government. "The last few years, it's been the tax code," said Corwin.
Her advice to Culy, who will be serving a three-year term because of changes by the legislature, is simple: "Just read everything you get in the mail," said Corwin. "If you don't understand it, ask questions."
Both Corwin and Culy had praise for the state auditors' association, which has played a critical role in helping the office stay up to date.
"You have to listen and read," said Corwin.
The final challenge facing her before she leaves office is getting property tax rebate checks out to taxpayers before the end of the year.
County commissioners say they're going to miss her.
"She's dedicated to her work," said commissioner Gary Theurer. "She's spoiled us and has probably saved our butts a time or two with her knowledge. ... It's just amazing the knowledge she's got. (With Corwin) one thing the county did get was their money's worth."
While acknowledging the complexity of the job, Corwin said she doesn't dwell on it. "My approach is, let's be pro-active and let's go forward. ... There've been times I've been aggravated with things, but let's go forward," she said.
Now, said Corwin, "I'm just going to try to semi-retire. ... I'm looking forward not to having my brain stretched to the limits every day."
Her husband, Neal, is skeptical about her ability to slow down, she said. And he's probably right.
"I can't just sit at home. My children are all raised. I'd be bored," said Corwin.[[In-content Ad]]
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