Pike County Commissioner Steve Guccini announces his retirement

Pike County Commissioner Steve Guccini is retiring at the end of 2021.

Guccini announced his departure at the Nov. 3 board of commissioners’ meeting. He said he will turn 70 at the end of the year, and that he has four grandchildren spread across the country he wants to see more often.

“In this world of hidden agendas, there aren’t any,” he said.

He said he will have more to say at his last meeting at the end of the year.

Guccini was elected to the board of commissioners in 2015 and won re-election in 2019. His term is scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2023. Commissioners Chair Matthew Osterberg said the courts will appoint someone to fill the remainder of Guccini’s term.

“After the years I’ve served with Steve, we’re sad to see him go, but we understand what he wants to do this with his life,” Osterberg said. “We respect that. I’ve enjoyed serving together. We’re a good team up here for the years we’ve been together. We wish him the best of luck and we look forward to whoever the new replacement is.”

Commissioner Ronald Schmalzle thanked Guccini for his help and wished him the best.

“This is a good and cohesive group that works together for the greater good of what we’re trying to accomplish,” Schmalzle said. “We all come from diverse and different backgrounds and different experiences. We’ve been able to divide what who takes what part of the overall responsibility. There will be a large hole to fill.”