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Home > Blogs > West Chester News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > April > 16 > Entry
Longtime West Chester employee announces retirement
This township’s longest tenured employee will step down this summer after more than 35 years with the community.
Public Safety Director James Detherage told West Chester Twp. officials late last week he will retire, according to Administrator Judi Boyko. His last day is June 30.
After 35 years with the fire department, Detherage promoted to the public safety director in 2007, a position that was created by trustees to act as a bridge between administration and the township’s public safety services.
Detherage was hired by the township in 1971 as a police officer after spending nearly four years with the Lockland Police Department. In 1972, he joined the township’s volunteer fire department.
He was promoted through the ranks from police officer to sergeant in the police department and assistant fire chief in the fire department. Detherage became the township’s first full-time fire chief in 1977, a position he would hold for nearly 30 years.
Detherage was charged with seeing the township through several major projects during the past two years — some of which are ongoing — including the construction of the new fire headquarters, safety services building and the implementation of the countywide emergency communication system.
In the past year, he’s been instrumental in promoting and designing West Chester University, a program that helps residents and businesses become better prepared for local emergencies.
Detherage says there are no specific reasons for his retirement, but “after 37 years and at 62 years old, it’s time to enjoy life. Life’s too short.”
He says he’s got nothing planned at this point for his retirement.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: West Chester Twp. Government
Comments
By Big Ed
April 16, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
Jim is one of the finest men I have ever known and worked with. It will be a long time before they find someone to fill his shoes.