FAIRMONT — Change is the only constant, and we would be wise to always be preparing for the next stage in life. Fortunately that preparation is eased when we have spent our time investing in others.

Martin County Auditor/Treasurer Jim Forshee will retire in July, and he knows both the value and challenges of taking on a position to serve others.

Forshee shares what his time in the area has been like, and what he has taken away from he experiences.

“When I retire, I’ll have been here for 16 and a half years,” he said. “I worked at Railway Motors for 29 years and I wasn’t really in favor of how things were going there, so when the election came up for this office a couple of people talked to me about running. So I looked into and thought I would see what happens.

“There were three people in that race, and when it was all said and done I won by 13 votes, but it was a close race. Sixteen and a half years has gone by real fast.”

Forshee noted what he considers to be some of the highlights of his time with the county.

“What I’ve enjoyed the most is working with all the different people in the cities and townships on their boards, working the elections and getting to know the process, and working with all the judges,” he said. “The office here, the staff, has been excellent to work with and they know their jobs and do their jobs well and I give kudos to them for doing a fantastic job keeping the office running. I’ve just enjoyed serving in the office and working with all the people of Martin County.”

As with any career, Forshee also faced hurdles.

“One of my challenges is talking with people and knowing they’re not going to like what they hear,” he said. “I just want to be honest with them and tell them why we have to do things according to statutes and help them understand why we have to do what we have to do. But most of the time when I get done talking to them, they do understand and feel like they’re more informed.”

Jessica Korte will fill in the remainder of Forshee’s term. She will be appointed effective July 8, and will serve through Dec. 31, 2022.

“With Jessica, you’ve got a younger person with younger ideas,” Forshee said. “She did go through and get her CPA license about a year or so ago. She’s always looking at different ways of doing stuff and how we can make it better. She’s got a great personality, which is important to work with and get along with everybody, and I think she’ll do a fantastic job.”

Overall, Forshee said he has most enjoyed simply working in Martin County.

“It’s been 29 years with Railway Motors, 16 and a half years here, 31 years with the [Fairmont] Fire Department, and it just seems like the jobs I’ve had I’ve been able to go out and work with the citizens of Fairmont and Martin County,” he said. “It’s been rewarding to get opportunities to do that. It’s been fun working with people.”