The loss of an adored employee

Losing a long-time, adored employee is like having your best friend move away to a different state.

It has been sad to learn that Susan Lather is retiring from the Enfield Senior Center. She has been well liked since arriving in Enfield, always a smile on her face. She picked up were her predecessor left off, and helped build a successful, respected and credentialed senior center program.

I was surprised as anyone to hear of her sudden decision to depart. When the Patch article was released I quickly reached out to an elected friend and asked, “What’s up with this?” It was news to him, too. In local politics we’re always aware of that fine line between stepping in to help and stepping out of bounds. The more I see, read and listen to folks around town this week it’s becoming clearer to me that this was a personal and very private matter.

As the days have gone by and the media accounts attempt to unpack a story, the rumors began. It was a relief to finally see the Town Manager, Mr. Chodkowski, respond to some of the rampant misunderstandings and help explain what many were thinking, “Would the senior center survive Ms. Lather’s departure? Can things get back to normal?”

However, when I read Councilor Deni’s and Councilor Davis’ comments in a local paper I began to wonder whether that “fine line” elected officials need to walk was getting trampled. Did the Councilors “good intentions” actually encourage the departure? Could this emotionally turbulent week been prevented if these politicians reached out when they learned of this retirement? Or was that fine line crossed on purpose?

I truly hope Ms. Lather wasn’t given bad advice by town councilors or anyone who was hoping to make her private issue a public-political one. That would be a true disappointment for the seniors who loved Ms. Lather.

I only wish there would have been time to say goodbye to Susan, to thank her, and wish her well in her retirement or new position. We benefited from her enthusiasm and her dedication. All politics a side, we will miss her.

Mary Ann Turner

7 Meadow Road

Enfield, CT 06082

860-745-4649