Mary Somerville is retiring after nearly 30 years working for the Georgetown-Scott County Planning Commission. She thanks those who hired her originally and reflects on the amazing growth and changes seen in the community over the past three decades. Somerville expresses gratitude for the many dedicated and passionate colleagues she has worked with over the years, who have enriched both her professional and personal life. She looks forward to the Planning Commission continuing its important work under new leadership while maintaining traditions like Halloween celebrations in the office.

1. Inside views and news
The SKINNY
G E O R G E T O W N - S C O T T C O U N T Y
P L A N N I N G C O M M I S S I O N
December 2017
A very sad goodbye by Mary Somerville
Three months shy of 30 years . . . almost half my life. And now I’m saying goodbye.
Thinking about three decades of office life and the amazing changes that have come to this
community, it is the people, of course, who stick in my mind. Starting at the beginning, I
thank Charlie Perkins and Anna Isaacs for hiring me back in 1988. I was the first person
hired and was by myself for three months before the first full-time Planning Director was
hired. That was when Charlie’s office was behind the elevator in City Hall, Mayor Prather’s
office was on the first floor, and the Planning Office was where the Mayor’s office is now.
As everyone knows, when Toyota came here, so did much change. Those hired in this office to guide that process have
been a great bunch of passionate, professional people, most of whom have enriched my life more than they know. And we’ve
laughed a lot!
Steve Austin was a master of the art of compromise and communication with developers and residents alike. And he would
have made a great stand-up comedian. Remember Seinfeld, Steve? I remember being with his wife Meg at his going-away
reception in the Courthouse, crying like a baby on her shoulder about her husband leaving! They’re world travelers now, and I
enjoy seeing their posts on Facebook.
Kelley Klepper had his flow chart in hand on day one and succeeded in building the Planning Office that Georgetown
needs. I always said Kelley must have marked one day a month on his calendar to do something for office morale. We
couldn’t have had a better leader. Kelley and Michele’s two boys, who were born in Georgetown, are now in high school, one
looking at colleges. Hard to believe!
Rachel Phillips was a great friend and listener, and oh so dedicated. Rachel is happily settled in Louisville, working for a
private planning firm. I miss you, Rachel! And I miss Earl Smith. Earl, we had many an interesting conversation and more
than a few belly laughs. Mike Sapp had a heart of gold. Brad Frazier, Brent Pergrem, and Mike Caudill kept us smiling, Jere-
my Manning was too funny for words, and Matt Tolar, well . . . what a character! Which reminds me: I’ll miss Halloween at
the office. It’s a tradition (started by Kelley) that must live on!
There are so many people who have been a welcome presence in the Planning Office over the past 30 years. I’ll miss me-
ticulous Bruce Lankford, a fine man; sarcastic Jack Conner; curmudgeon Joel Day; dependable Brent Combs; the cherished
friendship of dear Margaret McKenney; and yes, even the ever persistent Steve Price! And we’ve been blessed to have had so
many dedicated public servants on the Planning Commission. Richard Prater will always hold a special spot in my heart.
When Richard was in the hospital at the end, he was still thinking about the Planning Office and giving Steve Austin and I
encouragement. Our current Chairman, Rob Jones, is 100% committed to his role and making sure the Commission operates
as it should. To all of you, and many others I haven’t named, thank you for making it so enjoyable to come to work each day!
The current Planning staff is the best ever. Planners Matt Summers and Mikaela Gerry and our Engineer Ben Krebs do an
awesome job! Ben returned to this office because he knew what a great place it is to work. Sweet Whitley Keltner is another
dependable and valuable asset to the office. I’ll miss you, Chicken! Thank you Jay Farris for being my go-to IT man. Jay is
taking over the reins of The Skinny, so when you see his name pop up in your inbox next month, it’s not junk mail. Janie Her-
rington is taking over my job as Office Manager and Carol Madden is our new Administrative Assistant, both dependable, and
a familiar and welcome face to many.
To long time sidekicks John Carter and Perry Johnston, you’ve made coming into the office each day a pleasure. We say
we’ll keep up with each other. Let’s make it a promise. You have been great friends! Likewise with Joe Kane. Joe is a great
boss and a wonderful father to three artistic girls who keep him on his toes, and he works hard keeping their ship and this one
on course. Georgetown is fortunate to have such a fair and honorable Planning Director. I’ll miss you all!
So on December 28, I envision a big group hug while we’re all shuffling toward the door, a la Mary Tyler Moore. And I’ll
turn out the light in my office, tearfully, one last time.
November
New building permits
City 30
County 15
Subdivision plats
reviewed and recorded 8
LOC sureties $ 3.8M
Cash sureties $ 733K