In some ways, Lynda Gottfried’s career with Centre Wellington has come full circle.
Shortly before her retirement on Jan. 31, Gottfried spoke briefly with the Wellington Advertiser about her time working for both the Village of Elora and later the Township of Centre Wellington.
Gottfried, the executive assistant for the mayor and CAO’s office, started with the Village of Elora on Oct. 29, 1970.
“I have seen a lot of changes over the years,” she said.
When she started, her wages were split between the village and the Elora Hydro Electric Commission, which were housed in the same building.
“What’s interesting to me is that when I started in 1970, I started in the little red brick building here.” Years later, the current and much larger municipal building was constructed in the same location.
“I tell people, I’m sort of finishing off in the same location, but in a new building.”
Gottfried said she’s seen significant shifts over the years.
“When I started in 1970, we didn’t have computers. Then we moved into the computer age,” she said.
As years progressed, provincial regulations changed and there were more requirements of the village, she added.
“Work did change over the years. And in 1999, amalgamation came along.”
It was then the village became part of the Township of Centre Wellington.
“It was quite a major change with the five municipalities (coming together), but it was an exciting change,” Gottfried said.
“I’ve welcomed all the changes which have come along over the years.”
She said there have been interesting challenges, “and I’ve always enjoyed meeting with the people of our community.”
For Gottfried it was important to get to know residents.
“I always considered myself a servant of the people,” she said. “Anyone working for a municipality really is serving the people.”
Now that she is retiring, Gottfried said she is looking forward to doing some gardening and projects at home she’d never really had the time to do.
Her plans also include travel and simply slowing down a bit to enjoy life with her family.
“It’s hard to look back over 43-plus years,” she said. “But when I do look back there are lots of wonderful memories of accomplishments in the community and that the municipality has made.
“I consider it a privilege that I was part of some of those accomplishments and was able to share in that and do my part.”
