York County's 'best hire,' retiring - executive assistant Kathy Dumont bids county adieu
- Katherine Derby
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
ALFRED, Maine – Kathryn “Kathy” Dumont’s most favorite task in her role as executive assistant to the York County Manager has been organizing the annual Spirit of America Awards event that recognizes the key role of volunteers. Folks from all corners of York County are nominated by their communities through the Spirit of America Foundation, and are recognized by York County Commissioners in a special ceremony.
It’s a chance for those volunteers to receive public thanks for a job well done, for commissioners to converse with some of their constituents, and for the volunteers to know they’re appreciated.
“Of all of my job duties, hands down, the Spirit of America awards was the one I have enjoyed most,” Dumont said. “It is so inspiring to hear of the wonderful volunteers in York County and the good deeds they performed for their fellow citizens.”
The annual ceremony, typically held in November, is one of a thousand details that she has kept her eye on in this her 17th – and last – year in her county role. Dumont, who previously worked for a utility district and for a law firm, retires July 31.
Early in her county government career her “assistant” role meant, in addition to her regular duties, sitting in on job interviews with the county manager as the county government didn’t have a dedicated human resources department at the time, and helping fill gaps in numerous other areas.
She began her role as executive assistant – the first, because the position was new – to County Manager Richard Brown, who arrived as interim county manager in 2008 during a particularly difficult financial time in the county’s history. Soon, he was made County Manager, a role he left in 2011, when he felt it was time for someone with new ideas to step in.
“I learned a lot about county government from him,” said Dumont of Brown.
In August 2011, Greg Zinser, who had been town manager in Damariscotta, was selected as York County Manager.
“He’s been a forward thinker,” she said.
Dumont’s role has broadened and changed over time She keeps multiple schedules, prepares for and records meeting minutes for York County Commissioners, the York County Budget Committee, committees for the new training center and recovery center, union-related meetings, and deals with thousands of other details along the way.
She’s the person who writes letters, schedules seminars, registers vehicles for some county departments, and takes raw information and creates spreadsheets.
She keeps confidential information confidential.
She has attended meetings of various committees at the State House in Augusta, learned the process of getting a referendum question on the state ballot, and more.
“What I most like about my job is that no two days are alike,” Dumont said. “I have to be used to interruptions. I am “the person” everyone calls when they don’t know who else to call.”
She’s been a member of the building committee for the first responders training center and for the recovery center and is proud that the county had the foresight to invest in two much-needed projects. “I know just how valuable they’ll be,” she said.
Recently, Dumont was asked to join the board of First County Foundation, a nonprofit formed to support the two projects.
“I’ll still feel I’m a part of it, and I’ll see them come to fruition,” she said of the two projects. And Dumont said she may volunteer at one of the facilities once they’re underway.
Commissioners, whose July 2 meeting was to be the last before her retirement, spoke warmly of her abilities.
“Kathy is pleasant and efficient in all the business I have conducted with her,” said Commissioner Richard Clark. “I think she does a wonderful job. I wish her the best; she has certainly served us well over time.”
“You will be deeply missed,” Commissioner Robert Andrews told Dumont.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done,” said Commissioner Donna Ring.
“You know how to multitask,” said Commission Chair Richard Dutremble, adding that in his nearly 19 years as a commissioner, Dumont has been the county’s “best hire.”
“Giving back is really in her DNA,” said Commissioner Justin Chenette, who described Dumont as the “backbone” of the operation. “Kathy has always been so warm and welcoming and helpful with every aspect of our operations.”
Zinser, the county manager, has worked with Dumont for nearly 14 years, and spoke of her keen operational and administrative sense, her knowledge, and the way she has handled the many aspects of her job.
“Kathy has been my right hand person when it comes to the operational aspects of the county…..I’ve never had to worry about what stage any project is at; it has always been done,” he said. “She’s always had that big grasp of operational and administrative needs. She will be deeply missed, not only for the knowledge she brought to the job, but her down-to-earth personality that made her easy to talk with, and I’ve appreciated the friendship.”
Looking to the future, Dumont said there will be more family time with her three adult children and their spouses and her four grandchildren – and more gardening, because there’s always room for more flowers and veggies – and time for travel.
