Effingham Town Column: Gary Mason retires from library

Turnout for this year’s special primary election for executive council was light with only sixty-some voters making it to the polls. But, March and town meeting time is almost here and a better turn out is anticipated. There are numerous positions available on all the boards and commissions in town. Please consider stopping by the clerk’s office and signing up to run  for service to your community. Your reporter has served on many of the town’s governing bodies and while true that total agreement with other’s views is seldom possible it is also true that good governance and crafting of locally effective rules and regulation comes more often from debate upon issues rather than one good idea from one person. New blood on any board is more often a benefit than a deterrent. The simplest way to put this is: Your town needs your participation; it’s what makes a Democracy and Democracy.

Library news: Library staff member Gary Mason has retired from his position. While all who know Gary and all he has done for the library cannot take this as good news all his friends and patrons of the library wish him well. Mr. Mason’s hiring at the library was  one of the better things that happened in the early days of Effingham’s library’s early transformation into its status as a mainstay of our community. Gary’s ideas and energy  had much to do with monthly schedule of activities and groups sponsored by the library. His lifetime of library work prior to coming to Effingham provided much of the catalyst that transformed our library into its current importance to our town.  His smiles, recommendations for good books and personal part in making any visit to the library a pleasurable experience will be missed. As said above, all of we who knew you and benefited from your intense love of libraries and what they mean for a small town wish you well Gary. Good luck.