News : Supervisors Vermedahl, Buch leave office after 12 years

Ron Buch's last day in office included signing of some of the final minutes of 2012.

Ron Buch and Dave Vermedahl: Leaving office after 12 years as county supervisors.

Larry Druschel congratulates Dave Vermedahl at his retirement reception at the courthouse.

Ron Buch holds a gift he received from fellow county employees.

Supervisor Dave Vermedahl bangs the gavel as he adjourns the final meeting of his 12-year career.

Benton County Supervisors Dave Vermedahl and Ron Buch participated in their final meeting before retirement on Thursday, then met with well-wishers at a reception in the courthouse.

Vermedahl, a former Vinton city council member and Mayor, was first elected supervisor in District 2 in 2000. Buch, a Luzerne-area farmer, was elected in District 3 that same year.

Both Republicans chose not to seek re-election. They will be replaced by Democrats Terry Hertle (District 2) and Don Frese (District 3), who were elected in November.

Vermedahl recalls working on the budget as he began his first term in office, which began Jan. 1, 2001, as well as beginning to implement a new land use ordinance that the previous supervisors had approved.

Thursday's meeting included approval of minutes from the previous meeting, and the signature of the two retiring supervisors on some year-end documents.