ASHLAND — Gail Crossen made a mistake during her final Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday.
It was an inconsequential mistake, but one commissioners Michael Welch and Denny Bittle joked was her first during her long stint as clerk in the office.
Crossen, first hired by Marilyn Byers in 1996, retires at the end of the year after 25 years in the office. Thursday marked her last commissioners meeting. She hopes to take those cruise trips to Hawaii and Alaska that were canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Crossen also hopes to spend time with her daughter, four grandchildren and mother — and ride that bike she bought in 2020 that has barely been used.
“I’m mostly just looking forward to having my time be my time,” she said.
Crossen applied for the job in the commissioners office on the last day it was accepting applications for a deputy clerk.
“I actually put a Sunday School teacher as a reference. Unbeknownst to me, she had dealings with Marilyn Byers … I firmly believe that was a factor in me getting the job,” she said.
If it was, Byers doesn’t remember — she just knows Crossen was the right person for the job.
“I remember very distinctly the day we interviewed her. She really stood out. We all three agreed that she was the person we wanted to offer the job to,” Byers recalled. “I just remember she was a very sharp, good looking young woman when we interviewed her. I don’t even remember the others (that we interviewed).”
Crossen brought 10 years of experience as a chair-side assistant at a dentist’s office. She was also a secretary to the principal of Polk Elementary School and earned a degree in applied business from North Central State College.
Crossen began her duties as deputy clerk in February 1996, becoming clerk in 2003.
Over the years, she’s developed a professional rapport with her colleagues, elected or otherwise, who regard her as detail oriented and a strict rules follower.
“She’s very conscientious employee, always sending us emails all the time, keeping us apprised of when things need to be done. And making sure business got done in a timely manner,” Welch said.
Of the 10 commissioners Crossen worked for, Welch has worked with her the longest.
He said the office joke was that she kept them all out of jail by dotting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s.
Nikki Hiller, deputy clerk, was promoted to clerk on Thursday. She will take over at the first of the year. She said the duties of a clerk are usually unseen by the public, but that the job is essential for county operations.
“Just about everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned from Gail,” Hiller said, who started in the office in March 2010. She described Crossen as patient and kind.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller began his political career as a county commissioner with Crossen as deputy clerk, but becoming clerk three years into his first of two terms.
Miller described Crossen as “very detail-oriented.”
“She wants to make sure everything is done absolutely properly, that there’s no corners cut and that everything is done according to rules, according to regulations any guideline that’s provided — and even if you made the rules,” Miller said.
Miller was 22 years old when he started his first term in 2000. He said the job was demanding and that Crossen often lent a supportive ear.
“At the end of many of those challenging days, she would come to my door and she would peek in and say something that was positive and encouraging — and I have never forgotten that,” Miller said.
Crossen said details and rule-following are traits of her personality.
“I’m told I’m somewhat of a perfectionist but I think that’s important for this position to get things correct,” she said.
Crossen also served on the CCC/EAPA (County Commissioner Clerks/Engineers Administrative Professionals Association) for 13 years. During that time she served in every role, from treasurer to president.
Crossen, who lives in Nova, said she won’t miss the commute on snowy days.
“But I’ll sure miss the people I’ve worked with,” she said.
