Staff Writer
“It’s been a good ride, everything and everyone was great but you know when it’s time to get done and I’m ready,” said Judy Corrow, Caribou’s City Clerk for the past 25 years. Corrow retired from her duties at the municipal office on April 30.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
David and Dot Wakem stopped at the Caribou City Office recently to wish Judy Corrow “happy retirement.” Corrow retired on April 30 after 25 years of municipal service.
“I went to work at the Aroostook Trust Co. right out of high school,” said Corrow. “I worked at the bank for five years, then stayed at home with my kids. In the summer 1985, Ted Tournquist asked if I could fill in at the bank during vacations and shortly after that Captola Harrington who was retiring as the city clerk at that time, mentioned to my husband Brian that I should apply for the deputy clerk position (which also holds the duty of ballot clerk). This position was vacant due to Sylvia Akely moving into the City Clerk position.” Corrow spent 12 years as deputy city clerk and the last 12 as city clerk.
“I applied and Terry St. Peter (former Caribou city manager) hired me. I knew nothing about city government but it didn’t take long for me to realize what a huge responsibility these positions bring with them,” Corrow said.
“When I started my position it was two months before an election, it was very nerve-wracking, I worried about being able to set everything up at the polls correctly,” recalled Corrow. “During the first presidential election that I was directly involved with, the tabulator jammed — the good thing was that even though I was on the phone with individuals in Massachusetts until 10 that night, every ballot was counted and we got through the problem. All the girls from here who have been or continue to be involved with the polls on election days have always been so good to work with,” she added.
“I can’t say enough about all the individuals here and in Augusta that I’ve worked with over the past 25 years. The state is very regulated, everything is tracked, and the people that I’ve communicated with in areas such as Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and vital records, etc. are all extremely knowledgeable and helpful,” said Corrow.
“I’ve worked with three city managers, St. Peter, Richard Matilla and Steve Buck, and I have never had any problems, they were each very good to work with. Steve Buck does a good job in his position — he has a good mind and is great to work with,” said Corrow. “I can also say that along with the city managers, every single city councilor has been very good to work with as well,” she added.
Aroostook Republican photo
Caribou City Manager Steve Buck took some time away from his desk to visit with Judy Corrow, during a recent retirement open house held at the city office. Corrow , who served as city clerk for the past 12 years and deputy clerk for 12 years prior, retired the end of April.
Corrow’s last week at the Caribou municipal office was something of a whirlwind. Lots of last-minute things needed to be done and on April 28, City Manager Buck and the current city councilors held a retirement dinner honoring the longtime city employee at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. “They presented me with a computer all set up and ready to go,” said Corrow. “I didn’t have one at home and now I can keep in touch with my kids, (Leslie and Eric) through e-mail.” On her last day at the municipal building, Caribou residents and co-workers were able to stop in during an open house to offer Corrow sincere thanks for a job well done and wish her the best of everything during her retirement.
Once things settle down a bit, the city’s newest retiree is looking forward to working outside at her home, doing lots of gardening; visiting with friends and family members; doing some summer antiquing and spending some quality late afternoon time on her swing in the backyard.
“The whole time was great, now it’s over, I left everything in good hands and I’m ready — I like being home,” she said.
