L-R: Joe Hanner, George Hemmen, Brad Halterman

A passing of the guard was shown at the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors’ meeting earlier this week, as one department head nears the end of a decades-long tenure.

The Board approved the payroll change notice for Brad Halterman, who started this week as the County Conservation Director. Conservation Board President George Hemmen introduced Halterman to the Supervisors, though he is no stranger to the county. He previously was the project manager for the Lake Panorama Association, and was a natural resource manager for the Conservation Board before that. Former Conservation Director Joe Hanner’s last day will be December 20th, on which Hemmen says the department will be hosting an open house to congratulate him on his retirement at the Guthrie County Courthouse. For other Conservation personnel, it was mentioned that Cinda Blythe is resigning as administrative assistant due to moving out of the area. Hanner says she will still assist the department as needed, but that Halterman will seek to find a replacement in January.