By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – The campground road at Comlara Park in Hudson will be known as “Wasson Way,” as a tribute to the retiring McLean County administrator.
The county board honored Bill Wasson Tuesday night at the final board meeting before his departure.
Wasson spent almost 23 years as the county’s parks and recreation director, and elected leaders credited him with making significant park improvements.
Wasson said he’s proud of McLean County’s quality of life that makes it hard for people to leave the community.
“We always think about the fact that it’s hard to attract workforce to a community in the cornfields of Central Illinois, but it’s also the type of community that is hard to leave once you’re here and you have roots,” said Wasson.
The self-described “data wonk” is pleased with behavioral health initiatives aimed at reducing the number of repeat criminal offenders, and Law and Justice Center expansion.
“The expansion itself is complete, renovation work should be done within about 30 days,” said Wasson.
“We’re seeing a little bit of either closure on projects, or the point where there’s a foundation in place that gives me comfort to be able to say it’s the right time,” Wasson added.
Wasson was county administrator for the last eight years. His replacement, McLean County Health Department Director Camille Rodriguez, takes over June 1.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
