Erickson’s last meeting – the end of an era

by Rachel Dahl -- Bob Erickson has represented voters in the City of Fallon for the past 32 years and just finished his last City Council meeting. Over the years he served as a City Councilman during the 1980’s Mayor Mert Domonoske days, became Mayor during the 1990’s Ken Tedford Councilman days, and recently filled his 12-year term limit as a councilman during the Ken Tedford Mayor days. His depth of knowledge of state regulation and the financial structure of the city will be irreplaceable. Kelly Frost began the tribute to Erickson during staff and council reports at the end of the city council meeting last week. “This is Bob’s last meeting,” said Frost, “he has been a mentor and a gentleman, he is so knowledgeable and the only good that comes of this is now I can talk to him,” referencing the requirements of the Open Meeting Law that prevents the constitution of a quorum outside a noticed meeting. “I commend Bob for his dedication to the Council and thank him for his service,” she said. “This is a difficult time for me,” said Mayor Ken Tedford, “back in 1987 when I started, I didn’t know how any of this worked, I had never stepped foot in city hall until Mayor Mert asked me to come to a city council meeting.” Tedford talked about the first issue he dealt with on the council – there were no bathrooms at the Laura Mills park, and he promised voters during the election he would get bathrooms. But as a new councilman he didn’t understand the budget process and couldn’t get any traction with the other councilmen. “Back then all the people who lived around the park, the neighbors would let people use their bathrooms,” said Tedford. “It was Bob who explained the process to me, and I said, ‘are you kidding me, I told these people we’d get them bathrooms’ but he walked me through that first project that took 18 months to go through the budget process, it only took six months to building them.” “He was my Banker,” said Tedford, “he gave me my first loan for my first car. Bob has a dignity of character and for running a meeting and how to handle people, and he taught me that.”  Tedford said that Erickson leaving the council creates a big void. “He knows the financials so well.” Tedford talked about the city and the building that is city hall saying, “we are them, the living breathing people who are the department heads are this place, it’s not a structure it’s people, people own all this, the enterprise funds, they pay the bills of the accounts they own.” “When Bob and I started there was a moratorium on building, (late 1980’s) there were no permits for anything.” Tedford explained that they were in a “grow or die” situation and that without developing the sewer lift station on Serpa Place, it would have been inconceivable to see any growth. At that time there were less than 3000 people living in the city limits. “Because of Bob we got that lift station, it was a very difficult night the night of the vote, there was a 2-1 split, but it was Bob that said we have to allow for growth,” said Tedford. “Bob hammered them to get it – to lift the moratorium, and without that, in ‘88 we would not be here today.” Erickson said he will be glad to be able to talk again to his friends on the council. “Part of the hardship of the open meeting law limits your association with the important people in your life.” He reflected briefly on his 32 years of service, expressing his gratitude. “In any endeavor it’s really about the people you serve and serve with. I’ve never been associated with a better group of people,” he said. “Ken has a passion for the city, like everyone on the city staff.” Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. If you enjoy The Fallon Post, please support our effort to provide local, independent news and make a contribution today.  Your contribution makes possible this online news source for all things Fallon.