COLUMBUS– The Polk County Board of Commissioners declared Dec. 3 as Tom Pack appreciation day in the county in honor of the late commissioner.

Pack was the chairman of the board of commissioners when he died following a fall in March 2016.

Commissioner Ted Owens put the proclamation on the county’s Nov. 21 agenda to honor Pack.

Owens said he had the honor of serving with Pack longer than any other commissioner. He said Pack did so well in 2004 on the budget, he returned in 2010 and started pushing for a tax cut. The county was also in a severe drought, Owens said, and Pack supported a county-wide water system and now the county has the backbone of a water system in the ground.

Commissioner chair Michael Gage thanked Owens for putting the proclamation on the agenda.

“Tom was a brilliant man,” Gage said. “Probably the most intelligent person I’ve ever met in my entire life.”

Gage said he couldn’t keep up with Pack and Pack didn’t want a “yes” man.

“I’m a better person for knowing Tom and I’ll never forget him,” Gage said.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson said Pack was a challenge for him.

“He was a challenge for me but I, too, feel like I’m a better person because of Tom Pack,” said Gasperson.

Owens added, “We all are.”

During citizen comments, David Moore thanked the board for putting the proclamation on the agenda. Moore said Pack was a friend of his, a co-worker and he was glad to see something on the agenda that recognized Pack for his dedication to the county.

“He gave a lot of time and effort for the betterment of this county,” Moore said.

Pack was first elected in 2004 as the high vote-getter and served as chairman of the board during his first term. He served until 2008 and lost the election but was re-elected again in 2010 for a two-year term and then won a four-year term in 2016. He was up for re-election this year but chose not to run. Owens was appointed to finish his term.

Pack was 51 years old.

Following is the proclamation the board of commissioners unanimously approved on Nov. 21:

WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas E. “Tom” Pack, a native of Polk County, was unwaveringly dedicated to the betterment of Polk County and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pack served as a Polk County Commissioner from 2004 to 2008 and from 2010 to 2016; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pack’s ten year tenure as commissioner was distinguished by his steadfast commitment and dedication to Polk County and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pack’s life ended much too soon in March of 2016 as the result of a tragic industrial accident.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Polk County Board of Commissioners declares Dec. 3, 2016, as Thomas E. “Tom” Pack Appreciation Day in Polk County.