HONESDALE, PA — Perhaps it was the upcoming year end that nudged the county’s memory, or maybe it was just scheduled catching up.

On December 17, in their second such ceremony this year, the Wayne County Commissioners provided recognition for 20 employees with lengthy service.

Commissioners Chair Brian Smith noted that in February their panel, after reviving the recognition of Wayne voters with lengthy, uninterrupted voting records, realized they had never recognized the county’s senior employees, and chose to do so at that time.

“We are remiss in not doing this earlier, but you are the first and will always be able to say you were among the first,” Commissioner Wendell Kay told the group honored in February, whose most junior member had 35 years of service, and which boasted a total of 306 years on the job.

The most junior of last week’s group has spent 20 years with Wayne County, and together they tallied 533 years service.

Smith told them, “We wanted to catch up. No matter which department, you’re all serving people in the community… We’re always getting comments about the friendly service people have gotten, and we’re very proud of you,” he added.

Using his own formula, Commissioner Jonathan Fritz tried to put the combined years in an everyday context. “You’re averaging 28 years each. That’s 53,200 hours on the job… 106,400 episodes of ‘Seinfeld.’ That’s a fantastic accomplishment, just maintaining your sanity and showing up every day, saying ‘bring it on,’ takes patience and willingness that doesn’t waiver,” he said.

Commissioner Wendell Kay extended Fritz’s point. “I think the key day is day two. Did you come back? You did and maintained the example for others. You are the institutional memory of the organization… always with the utmost professionalism and courtesy.”