Peterson and Buerkle Celebrate Retirement

On Thursday, Dec. 20, friends, family and fellow county employees gathered to help county commissioner Bruce Peterson and Valley County Sheriff Vern Buerkle celebrate their upcoming retirement. Commissioner John Fahlgren kicked the festivities off reading a poem he had composed for Peterson, an homage to Peterson's proclivity for pondering, before presenting the outgoing commissioner a plaque in honor of his service.

Commissioner Tweten then thanked Sheriff Buerkle for his service to the county before presenting a plaque as well. Sherry Turner of the Sheriff's office gave a heartfelt thank you to both men for their service and knowledge.

Of his 13 years as Valley County Commissioner, Peterson is most proud of his open mind in approach to the work and challenges he faced. Peterson says this is not really a retirement, "I'll be doing something yet. It might not be as lucrative, but I will keep busy." He reflected that change can be good and he hopes the people of the county recognize how many good people are in the county building serving them each day.

Buerkle shared that of all his time in law enforcement, he is most proud of, "the people I work with." He reflected positively on his time serving the people of Valley County, reminiscing fondly with other retired law enforcement officials. Like Peterson, Buerkle doesn't see this as a true retirement. He'll be catching up on his "honey-do list" though before seeing what awaits him next.

Both men will be working through Dec. 31, when their elected replacements will take their oaths of office, Mary Armstrong as county commissioner and Tom Boyer as sheriff.