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Jackson Township mourns loss of fiscal officer
(by Sean Lehosit, staff writer - August 19, 2010)
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| William Forrester |
On Aug. 16 the friends and family of Jackson Township suffered the loss of a man who many held dear, William Forrester, who had been serving as the township's fiscal officer since April 1, 2008.
He left behind his wife, Diana, four children, and three grandchildren.
Forrester, who had been a resident of Grove City since 1978 was wrestling against an onset of cancer; a condition which according to those that worked around him, caused him pain, but never stopped him from fulfilling his post with the complete amount of dedication and drive he had shown throughout his career.
"Even though we had financial downturn in 2008, 2009, Bill was able to get us out of the storm," Township Administrator Michael Lilly said.
An alumnus from The Ohio State University, Forrester served 38 years with American Electric Power after becoming a certified public accountant in 1987. Additionally, Forrester was an active member of the township community, with memberships at Grove City's First Presbyterian Church and the Columbus Elks Lodge #37.
At the Aug. 17 board of trustees meeting, Alma Bennett was sworn in as deputy fiscal officer. While the board has 30 days to appoint a new member they chose Bennett after an emergency administration session and concluded that Bennett, who had served this same post for 16 years prior to retiring in March 2008, would make for the smoothest transition.
"It just makes sense to have Alma back," Lilly said.
"So, Alma has graciously agreed to resume the responsibilities of township fiscal officer, and we as a board have also decided that there's nobody more experienced in that position than Alma," Trustee David Burris said.
The board of trustees has requested that Bennett stay on as deputy fiscal officer until the end of the present term in Nov. 2011.
A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church on Aug. 19 for Forrester.
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