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Farmer City employees reach milestone together
By Kelly Youngblood
fcjournal@mchsi.com
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FARMER CITY -- Larry Woliung and Rick Hardesty have kept the lights on and the streets safe in Farmer City for many years.

The two celebrate their 30-year anniversary as municipal employees this year.

Woliung, the chief of police, ambulance administrator and street superintendent, reached the 30-year mark on Sept. 1. Hardesty, the electric superintendent, marked his 30th year of service on March 1.

“Rick and I have chummed along for many years,” Woliung said.

Both started their careers with the city when they were teenagers. Hardesty, who started working at the electric plant as an operator at age 18, has been the electric superintendent since 1990.

Woliung was 19 when he was hired to work at the water department. He later transferred to the street and police departments. He was named chief in 1987.

Both Woliung and Hardesty were raised in Farmer City and say they stayed here because it’s a nice community. “This town has a got a lot of great people,” Woliung said.

Serving others

Being a municipal employee has its ups and downs, but both men agree the best part is helping the public.

“We go out there in emergencies when people need help. You see that look on their face and you know you’re doing something great,” Woliung said.

Hardesty is also grateful to help people. “You’re doing a job a lot of people wouldn’t want to do whether you’re up in the wires or down in the ditch,” he said.

Being on call 24-7 and working with a small staff has presented some challenges. However, both Hardesty and Woliung say workers do their best to keep things running smoothly.

“Really, a lot gets accomplished in Farmer City for the small group of employees there are,” Hardesty said, noting there are only about 20 full-time employees.

City Manager Dave Jowsiak credits Hardesty and Woliung for making his transition to Farmer City so easy.

“That was one of the benefits of coming here is the fact that I’ve got a couple of guys who have been here and seen it all,” he said.

Many changes

In the past three decades, Hardesty and Woliung have seen the city and their jobs undergo many changes. Hardesty said one of the biggest changes the electric plant has seen was in 1984 when the city decided to buy power rather than run generators.

In addition to seeing numerous turnovers in the City Council, both men have witnessed the city’s form of government change. The city manager form of government replaced the mayor/aldermanic form more than five years ago.

“I like the manager form of government. It’s one of the best things the city did,” Woliung said.

The city itself has changed. Woliung said there’s less business, less traffic, and less crime.

Memorable moments

For Woliung, his most memorable moment on the job came about a year ago when he helped deliver a baby.

Woliung and Sgt. Andy Denno arrived at the family’s home before an ambulance and found a woman in the final stages of labor. Woliung said delivering the baby was incredible.

“It’s the best thing I can recall the entire time I’ve been here,” he said. “I’ve seen the little gal since then and she’s as cute as can be.”

Hardesty won’t forget the Valentine’s Day ice storm in 1989. “We had to call in extra crews. It took us four days to clean up from that,” he said. The power was out for 24 hours in one section of town.

Retirement is in the near future for both Woliung and Hardesty. Woliung plans to retire in five years, and Hardesty wants to retire a year after that. Both men say they are looking forward to it.

FYI

Larry Woliung

Occupation: Farmer City chief of police, ambulance administrator and street superintendent

Family: Wife, Debbie; three children

Hobby: Enjoys camping in his spare time

What you didn’t know: His dream job was to become a fire marshal.

Rick Hardesty

Occupation: Farmer City electric superintendent

Family: Wife, Jill; two children

Fun fact: For the last 25 years, Hardesty has taken a second job during the Christmas season. (Hint: He’s the crowd’s favorite in the annual Farmer City Christmas parade.)

What you didn’t know: Hardesty contemplated becoming a teacher in high school.

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