Sussex County Council bids farewell to Lank

Before the holidays, retiring Sussex County Director of Planning and Zoning Lawrence Lank was honored during a dinner attended by hundreds of his co-workers, friends and family. On Jan. 3, county council bid farewell to Lank, who officially retired Friday, Jan. 6.

Lank has served with every county council member and every county administrator since the current county council system of government was enacted nearly 50 years ago.

During the meeting, council members presented him with a plaque and offered parting comments to Lank, who has worked for the county for 47 years, serving more than 30 years as director of the planning and zoning department. He's the longest serving employee in county history.

“His knowledge will never be duplicated,” said Councilman Mike Vincent, R-Seaford, who has known Lank since he was 6 years old growing up in Seaford. He said the two plan to keep in touch by playing more golf.

Councilman Rob Arlett, R-Frankford, called Lank the epitome of what Sussex County is all about. “He cares for the people, for the past and future of the county; he's a family man and is respected and loved. He goes beyond the job – you are Sussex County.”

“Lawrence is a good common-sense person, and that's worth a lot of money to me. I wish we had more people like him in office,” said Councilman Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown.

County attorney J. Everett Moore has worked with Lank since the early 1970s. He said he's always been amazed at his knowledge of the county. “The information was not in a computer and not on a list, it was in his mind,” Moore said.

Lank said throughout his career he never looked at himself as the boss but as a co-worker. “The staff, past and present, has been my other family,” he said.

“I'm humbled and I want to thank you,” he said. “And I will be back.”

 He said he plans to stop in and listen once in awhile.