County maintenance superintendent retiring

After 35 years working for the department, Washington County Maintenance Superintendent JP VanSickle plans to retire after this week, as acknowledged by the county’s Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

“He has been a great asset to this county since he started as a blade operator and when he moved up to blade superintendent about 10 years ago,” County Engineer Jacob Thorius said. “He’s done a lot, he’s put in a lot of time, and he’s got a lot of knowledge that he’s taking with him, but we’re grateful for it and he’s earned this.”

Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. said he was grateful for VanSickle’s work.

“JP does a lot of stuff behind the scenes and a lot of stuff that doesn’t come to the general public’s attention,” Seward said. “We do need to tip the hat to him and offer our respects.”

VanSickle, whose retirement plans include a part-time job and more time with his family, said he was happy to have worked with such a talented team.

“I had a great bunch of guys that worked under me that made my job very easy,” he said. “I had a great engineer that loved to try different things, and I had a great office manager.”

VanSickle will be replaced by John Wagner, who currently leads the county’s secondary roads department.

Thorius said the county would hold an open house at its maintenance garage Friday from 1-3 p.m. to send off VanSickle.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com