Nice Article for Sherry

Commissioner Krulitz leaves after 20 years

“Amazing, wonderful experience.” These are three words longtime Shoshone County Commissioner Sherry Krulitz used to describe her 20 years of service in the public office.

Krulitz, 60, started in county government in 1975 when she was county treasurer for six years. In the time she has served as commissioner through the ’80s, ’90s and into the new millennium, she has been the first and only female commissioner in Shoshone County.

Vern Hanson will assume the District II county commissioner seat at the “Oaths of Office” ceremony Jan. 12.

Krulitz accomplished major feats such as the completion of the Thompson Pass highway and building the Waste Transfer Station.

All in all, Krulitz will miss the little things like coming into the office every day and being greeted by longtime Board of Commissioners secretary Susan Johnson — who served with Krulitz half of her two decades in office.

“The whole dynamic of the office would be different without her,” Krulitz said.

Her co-workers and friends echoed compliments of Krulitz’s impact. Johnson referred to the intangibles that often go unnoticed, like Krulitz’s planting and tending to flowers at the courthouse. “Sherry is so thoughtful and considerate. She and Art are an exemplary couple and great friends,” Johnson said. “She sincerely cares about her employees and the residents of Shoshone County.”

Former county commissioner and longtime friend Jim Vergobbi expressed his admiration for the person he served alongside14 out of his 16 years as commissioner.

“She’s done a lot of good things that have helped a lot of people,” Vergobbi said. “She’s been a tireless public servant and she is a dear friend.”

Krulitz was 38 when she took office as a commissioner, and her son-in-law, Mitch Alexander, is 38 years old as she leaves office and he officially steps into public office as Shoshone County sheriff on Jan. 12. “I think Sherry is a huge ambassador to Shoshone County,” Alexander said. “She is well known and well respected throughout the entire state and she has done a great job of putting Shoshone County on the map and keeping us involved.”

Current Commissioners Vince Rinaldi and Jon Cantamessa say they’re sorry to see the veteran commissioner leave as the county heads into hard times with a huge job ahead of them in the next four years, adding that her experience and leadership will be missed. “All the acquaintances she’s made throughout the state, and the country, and the personal knowledge of county government she has accrued over the years is invaluable,” Cantamessa said. “She’s got more information in her head than we do in our desks.” Her presence as the only Shoshone County representative to NACO (National Association of Counties) will also be missed dearly, he said.

Krulitz manages two housing projects for senior citizens and says she would like to do another subsidized housing project, adding that the need is there as she knows she could fill a new complex in a week.

Other than her housing projects, Krulitz will look to stay busy as a member of the Idaho Judicial Council through 2011. In that role, she’ll be part of the process of interviewing for two more district judge positions in southern Idaho this February.

Apart from that continuing civic duty, Krulitz has also been unanimously approved to serve on the Northwest Community Foundation Committee for North Idaho. Krulitz said the committee will work on attaining grants for communities in the five northern counties.

Without a doubt, Krulitz will have no problem staying busy after leaving the office she held for many, many years.

“It’s been an amazing opportunity to work with some really great people.”