A reception at the Kingfisher County Courthouse Thursday recognized retiring Kingfisher County Excise-Equalization Board members Jim Shimanek of Hennessey and Jim Simmons of Cashion, second and third from left. Other county officers on hand included county commissioners Heath Dobrovolny, far left, Jeff Moss and Ray Shimanek, fourth and fifth from left, and Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter, far right. Simmons has served on the all-volunteer, three-member board for 25 and a half years and Shimanek for 11 years. Remaining board member Jim Wittrock of Okarche will be joined by two new members, Michelle Miller of Cashion, replacing Simmons in District 1, and Jim Berkenbile of Hennessey, replacing Shimanek in District 2. The new members will be sworn in and seated at the July 13 excise board meeting [KT&FP Staff Photo]

FOURTH GENERATION — Michelle Miller, below left, is not only the first woman ever appointed to serve on the county excise board, but she follows in the footsteps of her dad, Jim Simmons, right, granddad Jack Simmons and great-granddad E.R. Simmons, all of whom have represented District 1 on the board. [KT&FP Staff Photo]