DELHI _ The Delaware County Board of Supervisors bid a fond farewell to Sidney Supervisor Joe Maddalone at the final meeting of the year Wednesday.
Chairman Jim Eisel said Maddalone spent the last 12 years representing the largest town by population in the county.
"Joe has been one outstanding supervisor," Eisel said as he listed the numerous committees Maddalone has served on during his tenure.
Maddalone has chaired the
Public Safety Committee since 1998 and dealt with the construction of the county's new Public Safety complex.
"By the time we got through with all the regulations we thought we would be the first inmates in the facility," Eisel said with a laugh.
Eisel said Maddalone is personally kind and considerate, but also has a great sense of humor.
"Joe tells off-the-wall jokes and wild stories about the past," Eisel said.
Andes Supervisor Marty Donnelly said, "Joe is a hard worker and a good man, and I am proud to call him a friend." Middletown Supervisor Len Utter added that he has known Maddalone for "more years than he or I want to admit." Utter said he has worked with Maddalone for decades through the fire service.
"I want to thank Joe for all the sleepless nights he put in for the fire department and emergency services," Utter said. "We are all better off for knowing him and having him here." Masonville Supervisor Craig DuMond said, "I have known Joe since I was in high school. I joined the Sidney Fire Department under Joe when he was chief.
"I am going to miss Joe because he always has a knack to lighten up any serious situation."
Andes Supervisor Tina Mole said she has had a lot of good times with Maddalone driving around the county gathering signatures on petitions.
Mole also claimed some of the credit for promoting Maddalone's romance with his wife, Joyce.
"I am honored that you had me stand up with you at your wedding," Mole said. "I am going to miss you."
Several other supervisors and county department chairmen thanked Maddalone for his years of dedicated service.
After hearing all the accolades, Maddalone said: "You know I'm going to miss this place. I have had a lot of fun and the people I have met have been fantastic. I was kind of counting down the days to my retirement. But now that it is getting close, I am not so happy about it anymore."
