After 19 years working for the city of Perry, City Clerk Paula Rychnovsky will retire June 30.
Paula was hired in 2001 by then-Perry Police Chief Dan Brickner, who retired in 2014. Brickner still recalls his good luck in landing such a highly qualified person for the administrative clerk position. Paula previously worked in several positions in Ringgold County — in the auditor’s office, county recovery center and county supportive services — and for the city of Mount Ayr.
“Paula was the first and only full-time clerk during my time at the police department,” Brickner said. “I remember when we advertised for the job. I was wondering what type of qualifications these applicants would have above and beyond the basics. I was stunned when we got Paula’s resume. She had a great background and had been the Ringgold County Auditor. She knew government. She knew management. She knew budgets along with much more than I could have ever hoped for.”
Alongside her professional qualifications were the deeper qualities of character that made Paula a stand out in the Perry Police Department. Brickner mentioned the “sincerity and respect” she always showed toward others and her skill at “making sure they were recognized for important events and accomplishments.”
Her uncanny memory for dates — birthdays, anniversaries, employment start dates — was remembered by everyone in the police department.
“She was like a mom, a good mom, and always remembered everything,” said Perry Police Department Communications Director Lori Riley. “She remembered everybody’s birthdays and employment anniversary dates. She sent cards out to people. She’s just a very thoughtful, caring person. She’s super, super sweet.”
Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn also remembered Paula’s knack for remembering dates.
“Paula’s just one of those people who’s a very caring and very giving person,” Vaughn said. “She was always looking out for all the officers and knew whose birthday was coming and that type of thing. Just a thoughtful person like that.”
The police chief since 2014, Vaughn has been in the Perry Police Department for more than 20 years, and many of those were spent working with Paula.
“We’ve definitely missed having her around here,” he said, “and now we’ll miss her with the city. She’s been here a long time.”
Even after Paula took up the position of city clerk in the Perry City Hall, she made herself available to Emily Onnen, her replacement in the police department. Vaughn said Paula made the transition in clerks easy, and she has never been more than a phone call away with answers to questions ranging from grant writing and administration to preparing budgets and managing records.
Paula’s nearly four years in the city clerk position have brought her yet more friends and admirers inside city hall, such as Perry Finance Officer Susie Stoner Moorhead.
“I have enjoyed working with Paula the past 19 years, in her positions both as police administrative clerk and as city clerk,” Moorhead said. “I appreciate and respect her dedication, hard work and her bright and bubbly personality. She was always readily available to assist the public and her fellow employees in her kind and encouraging way.”
Moorhead said she is excited for her friend “because now she can spend more time with her family, doing the things that she loves. Best wishes on your retirement, Paula! It is well deserved!”
Unfortunately, Paula’s many coworkers and friends will be unable to throw a retirement party at this time, but well-wishers are invited to send their greetings and well wishes to Paula at one of the following addresses:
- City of Perry, Attn: Paula Rychnovsky, P.O. Box 545, Perry, IA 50220
- Paula Rychnovsky, PO Box 232, Rippey, IA 50235
