July 1 proclaimed Paula Stairs Day in Union County

The Union County Board of Commissioners has honored the long-time coordinator of a local Community Action Agency.

Monday, July 1, was proclaimed as Paula Stairs Day in Union County.

Stairs is retiring after 50 years of service with the Shawnee Development Council. She is the agency’s Union County coordinator.

Shawnee Development Council is a Community Action Agency which serves Union, Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope and Pulaski counties.

The agency has an outreach office which serves Union County. The office is located on the grounds of the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center at 1000 N. Main St. in Anna.

The proclamation honoring Stairs was read at last Friday morning’s regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

County board chairman Max Miller read the proclamation, which began by noting that “Paula Stairs has been employed through the local Community Action Agency, Shawnee Development Council Inc., for the past 50 years.”

The proclamation continued:

“...through her work as Union County Coordinator, has been a conscientious and dedicated employee...”

“...Paula Stairs’ focus was on the mission of changing people’s lives, improving communities and being dedicated to helping people help themselves...”

“...after giving the entire county of Union 50 years of dedicated service, Paula has decided to retire...”

“...the County of Union wished to honor Paula Stairs for her distinguished service to the county...”

“...therefore, we the County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim July 1, 2019, as Paula Stairs Day in Union County, Illinois, in recognition of her hard work and dedication.”

After reading the proclamation, Miller told Stairs that “we so sincerely appreciate what you’ve done.”

Commissioner Bobby Toler Jr. serves as the county representative to the Shawnee Development Council. 

Toler also praised the work Stairs has done. “We wish you the very best,” he said.

Stairs voiced appreciation for the honor she received. Stairs noted that when she was hired, she was told that she was to have a job for six months.