The Webster Progress-Times

WALTHALL - Although county Extension Director Cynthia Wilson is retiring from that position, she plans to continue serving Webster County in a new role.

Wilson informed the Board of Supervisors on Monday that she has had the opportunity to retire early from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, effective June 30.

"It was a hard decision to make," she told the board members.

Wilson and Supervisor Mart Salley, who is president of the Webster County Development Council, followed that notice with the announcement that the president's advisory committee of the WCDC has offered her the part-time job as executive director of the organization, which she has accepted.

Wilson observed that her new position will still allow her to have some input into local programs of the Extension Service, which has worked closely with the WCDC in a variety of areas.

The full WCDC board of directors, which is scheduled to meet June 28, will have to give its stamp of approval to Wilson's hiring as its executive director. If the recommendation stands, she will begin her new duties on July 18. Salley said Wilson's pay will be based on a 32-hour week. The position has been vacant since last November's departure of Steve Anderson, who had been full-time director since mid-2002.

Wilson received the Volunteer of the Year Award last summer from the Mississippi Economic Development Council. The WCDC nominated Wilson, who co-chairs its Vision to Action Leadership Committee. The award was also in recognition of her helping to organize two local job fairs and serving on the taskforce for Leadership82, which trains community leaders.

Wilson has also worked to obtain a grant for the WCDC to develop a local farmers market, which is scheduled to begin next month. She has been serving in a volunteer capacity as secretary of the Development Council since January.

The 28-year state employee has been with the Webster County Extension Service for 22 of those years, having begun working here in July 1983 as home economist. She told supervisors that Extension will be filling her position but did not have a timeframe, and assured them that services offered through the local office will not be interrupted. Wilson also said she plans to give input into the selection of her replacement.

A retirement reception for her will be June 20 from 2-4 p.m. at the Extension Office, during which a book of letters will be presented to her. Anyone who would like to contribute a letter to her book may mail their unfolded letter to the attention of Barbara Wright, Webster County Extension Office, 114 Veterans Memorial Blvd. N., Eupora, MS 39744.