Cole County reads retirement proclamation honoring Pat Casease after 27 years of service

Cole County officials read a retirement proclamation honoring James Patrick “Pat” Casease for 27 years of service in the county public works department during its meeting. The proclamation, read aloud by a meeting speaker, recounted that Casease began his career on May 3, 1999, and served under directors including Chris Jarnell, Larry Benz and Eric Landwear.

The speaker who read the proclamation concluded the text with a formal statement: "Now therefore, be it resolved that the people of Cole County do hereby thank and commend Pat Casease for his 27 years of faithful service and loyalty to the county. We also wish him the very best in retirement and many enjoyable years ahead as we will truly miss you." That text was delivered as part of the proclamation read during the meeting; the transcript does not record a formal roll-call vote on the proclamation.

Casease responded briefly after the proclamation, addressing the presenter by name and accepting the recognition: "Oh, thank you, Sam. It's been a great ..." He offered thanks and acknowledged his time with the department. The proclamation notes that in retirement he plans to work around his farm.

The proclamation lists Casease's start date with the county as May 3, 1999, and names current and former public works directors under whom he served. The reading and brief remarks that followed served as a ceremonial acknowledgment of his long service; the transcript records congratulations but does not show further action tied to the proclamation.

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners provided brief liaison reports and community announcements — including a tractor pull and a downtown "Salute to America" event and a reminder about a July 8 public reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by an ice cream social — before the agenda moved to proclamations.