Patching to planning, Herzet has seen it all
Staff reporter
Imagine beginning a job at the age of 19 and staying with that same employer for more than 30 years. It is almost unheard of in this day and age.
Jim Herzet did it.
The 1971 Marion High School graduate began his career with Andy Anderson and the Marion County Road and Bridge Department in March 1973, working on the hand patching crew, and "still wet behind the ears," Herzet said.
That first summer, he took over as the operator of the oil distributor. During the next several years, Herzet drove semis that pulled gravel trailers, hauled oil, and operated dump trucks. He even spent time fixing tires in the county shop.
In 1977, Herzet became a rural patrolman in the area in which he lived and currently resides. He continued that position until 2000.
Gary Loveless retired as road foreman and Herzet was named to take Loveless' place.
When road and bridge superintendent Gerald Kelsey had to retire due to health problems, Herzet was appointed acting superintendent from 2005 to 2006. He got the nod as permanent director from Marion County Commission in 2006.
From patching to planning, Herzet has seen the department from many perspectives.
"I really enjoyed the people," Herzet said, "and the challenges of dealing with the public."
Trying to keep 13,000 residents satisfied and maintaining nearly 2,000 miles of roads was a big job.
"I owe everything to my employees," Herzet said with emotion. "I couldn't have done it without them."
He also liked being in the position to help other people — particularly those who worked for him.
"We (former road foreman Steve Hudson and Herzet) supported our employees and worked with them the best we could," Herzet said. "We wanted everyone to get along."
Herzet is particularly proud of how the department was able to complete more projects through better planning and diffusing complaints.
"We approached the work as a contractor," Herzet said, setting out to complete specific tasks each day. Each complaint was addressed as quickly as possible.
"Taxpayers are the ones who are paying our salaries," Herzet said. "They're the ones we should answer to."
Road crews went from sealing 20 to 25 miles each year to as many as 50 miles and has done it with fewer employees than in the past.
One of the more remarkable changes Herzet has experienced in the past 30 years has been the development of equipment and machinery.
When he operated a motor grader as a rural patrolman, the grader was six years older than he was at the time.
"When pushing snow, I had to decide if I wanted lights or a heater," Herzet said with a laugh, because the battery power at that time wouldn't allow both.
Now the county has state-of-the-art, cutting edge equipment that is efficient and safe for the operators.
The computer age also has influenced the department in purchasing and researching new equipment and techniques.
One thing that hasn't changed has been the standard for a good road which is a good base.
Modern technology, equipment, and knowledge has not replaced the common sense approach of a road being only as good as its base.
Marion County remains the third largest in the state in number of miles it maintains. In comparison, Geary County has 285 miles of roads to maintain and 30 bridges, Herzet said.
With 1,600 miles of roads and 300 bridges in the mix makes for a highly responsible and stressful position.
When asked his reason for retiring, Herzet said, "It was time to do something different."
Since his last day with the county at the end of June, Herzet has enjoyed his time away from the daily grind and the stress.
He and wife Janet recently returned from a two-week cruise to Alaska. More time for motorcycle riding and spending time with his family also are reminders to him that he doesn't punch a time clock — for now.
Herzet is exploring his options regarding employment, knowing at 53 years of age he still has time to shift gears and have a whole new career, if that's to his liking.
As they say, behind every good man there is a good woman, and the same is true for Herzet except he knows his success is also attributed to having a good team of workers on the road and in the office.
"They are the ones who made it all work," Herzet said.
