Glen Strandberg
Staff Reporter

This summer Columbus Township seems to be trapped in a whirlwind of changes. But while some of the newsmakers and topics grab the front page headlines, one person signaled a major change when she quietly left town hall after 20 years of dedicated service.

Last month Barb Masteller stepped down from the position of town clerk; a job she held since March of 1986. Thatís not too shabby for someone who was elected to the office on a write-in campaign.

ìNobody else wanted it,î Masteller says with a shrug.

In fact, she points out, the job opened up because the clerk at the time was moving out of the township. When there were no takers some people convinced Masteller to run. Twenty years would go by before Masteller decided to step down.

Why?

ìI got to be 62,î she says. ìThatís all it took. I could have stayed longer, but the age was there, and I figured Iím going to enjoy it while I can.î

And just like that she is ready to catch up on some things that have been pushed to the side after so many years.

The most important matter is her sonís August wedding in Breckenridge, CO. But in the mean time, there is the strange notion for Masteller of being home on Wednesday nights.

For 20 years she has been at town hall on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month doing the minutes for the town board. Eight years ago she took on the task of handling the same duties for the planning commission, and they just happen to meet on the first and third Wednesday. Thatís a lot of hump days that go so late they might feel more like a steep incline.

After devoting all of that time (unofficially those Wednesday nights total about two years), Masteller made big plans for her first Wednesday off to crochet and maybe watch a little television.

Looking back on two decades of working for the Township, Masteller canít help but notice all of the other changes that have taken place.

ìThe growth is phenomenal,î she says. ìIt was a very small operation when we first started.î

As Columbus Township looks to become a city, the responsibilities of town clerk are now managed by Emmy Robinson, who moves up from the role of serving as the townís office assistant.

ìIím sure sheíll do fine,î Masteller says of Robinson. ìAnd actually, it probably is going to be better for her because sheís been here. She knows the workings of the town, so I think it will work out very well.î

So now itís Robinson who will give up her Wednesday nights, while Masteller can spend her new-found free time with friends and family, or even travel.

However, there is one little aspect that Masteller already knows that she will miss.

ìI will miss the people, I really will,î she admits.

ìThe actual, physical job part, no. But I will miss the people.î

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