From left to right, Jackson Center mayor Jesse Fark, previous mayor Scott Klopfenstein, Bruce Metz and previous mayor and Zoning Enforcement Specialist Ed Maxwell pose with a photo on Sept. 23. Metz officially retired as village administrator on Oct. 1 and was recognized at the Oct. 1 meeting. He will begin a term as Shelby County Commissioner in January.
Megan Lewis | Sidney Daily News
By Megan Lewis
For the Sidney Daily News
JACKSON CENTER — Bruce Metz has officially retired from the Village of Jackson Center on Oct. 1. He was given an award for all the service he has done for the Village at a Council meeting held on Sept. 23.
Metz began his career with the Village of Jackson Center when he got hired in the street department in 1980. He stayed there until transferring to the Water/Wastewater Department in 1984. He became the Street Department Superintendent in 1998. Lastly, he became the Village Administrator in 2012.
Metz is retiring because he won a primary for a Shelby County Commissioner’s seat in the spring and is running unopposed in the general election. His term will start in January.
“He made the mayor’s job more fun being there,” former mayor Scott Klopfenstein said during the meeting on Sept. 23. He, mayor Jesse Fark and former mayor and current zoning enforcement officer Ed Maxwell posed with a photo during the meeting after Metz was presented with a retirement gift.
Metz is known to residents of Jackson Center a kind, sweet person. Many spoke positively about Metz, including fiscal officer Bev Wren, who said she considers Metz a big brother.
Maxwell gave a speech thanking Metz for his work.
“Bruce has a true love for the Village of Jackson Center,” Maxwell said.
