Bickford retiring after 19 years

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
After 19 years serving the community as the Weston County public health nurse, Lori Bickford retired on Aug. 31. 
“I always planned for an early retirement, and I reached the point where I can, so I am going to,” Bickford said. “I have been with public health for 19 years and loved every minute of it.” 
When asked if her decision had anything to do with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic of the past year and a half, Bickford laughed, but said that working through the situation was just another day on the job. 
With her newfound freedom, Bickford said, she plans to make her family, both young and old, her priority. 
“I want to spend more time creating memories, but there are amazing opportunities out there, so who knows what is around the corner,” she said. 
As for the continued operation of Weston County Public Health, Bickford said that the staff will keep operations running until a replacement is named. 
“They (Michelle Sweet and Carmen Simon) will be running the office until the Department of Health finds a replacement,” Bickford said. “The oversight and administration will come from the regional health officer.” 
She noted that both Sweet and Simon will have the support they need to effectively run the office in her absence. 
“It has been a privilege to serve this community. I have created a lot of wonderful relationships that will last a lifetime,” Bickford said. 
While she may not be the public health nurse anymore, Bickford stressed that the community must remain vigilant as the pandemic continues. 
“There is no reason for the community to go through what we did last year. I hope people will revisit the knowledge they have. The power lies in the people, and they need to pull together,” she said. “The community must revisit how they feel about things (the vaccine and other preventative measures) and provide the protection the vulnerable need.” 
Bickford noted that KASL will take over the COVID-19 case reporting over Facebook and the radio and that her community information page will no longer be active. 
“I just really appreciate all the support I have received through this. One person can’t get it done, and I have had lots of support from both the radio and the newspaper,” she said. “You (the paper and radio) have really made a difference.” 
With the loss of Bickford, Weston County is left without both a public health nurse and a public health officer. Despite advertising the need for a new public health officer, the Weston County commissioners have not yet appointed a replacement after removing Dr. Mike Jording from the position on Jan. 5. 
According to Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock, there has been no interest expressed by anyone in filling the position despite months of advertisement in both local papers.