Last week the lines of people at Town Square never seemed to end. Paola City Manager Jay Weiland was ending his 12 years in Paola and his 50 years in local government at his retirement reception. Wiland says the 50 years has gone by much quicker than expected and he couldn’t think of a better place for it to come to an end than in Paola. He was showered with congratulations and gifts.
Members of the Paola Fire Department presented Weiland with a bugle award naming him honorary Fire Chief. Chief Andy Martin talked about the history of the bugle as a symbol of leadership within a fire department. Mayor Artie Stuteville also presented Weiland with a special box featuring pins from each of the cities he has been a part of during his 50-year career in local government. His official last day on the job will be January 18.
