Thank you, Jodi LaCroix!

After 30 years of government service, 25 of those in Charlestown, Town Clerk Jodi LaCroix is retiring and moving to Chattanooga with her husband and daughter.

Many of us celebrated with Jodi and her family tonight at the Meadowbrook Inn. Friends and colleagues stepped up to tell Jodi stories and crack jokes. Jodi also walked away with a box full of commendations and awards, a really nice print from the Charlestown Historical Society and our gratitude.

At the end of the evening, Jodi turned the tables, telling her own stories and handing out gag gifts to her colleagues, singling out her protege Amy Rose Weinreich. Jodi, quite rightfully, told the audience of her hope that Amy will be appointed to succeed her and passed a very classy $9.99 torch to her.

Rep. Donna Walsh (left) presents a congratulatory resolution by the House of Representatives to Jodi

It is quite an achievement for Jodi to have served this town for so many years, and to have seen so much, without having to go into witness protection. Instead, in Chattanooga, she will need to learn a whole new culture. No more clam cakes. No more coffee milk. In Chattanooga, the only way to get Peeps® is chicken-fried.

Jodi will need to learn a new language and change her name to something like Jo Jo. Double names are mandatory south of Maryland. I told Jodi that nobody in Tennessee will be able to spell "Lacroix" so she should consider something less alien like "LeRoy." As in Jo Jo Leroy.

Well, again, thank you, Jodi and y'all come back.

Author: Will Collette