Richard Cook retires after 11 years as Airway Heights clerk-treasurer

Airway Heights residents who stop by City Hall or attend City Council meetings may notice a familiar face is no longer there.

Clerk-Treasurer Richard Cook will officially retire from his position March 13. He has worked for the city of Airway Heights for 11-and-a-half years.

Cook, who is originally from Spokane, started working for what used to be the city's auditor's office as an accountant after he graduated from Gonzaga University.

"When I started there were about seven or eight employees in their 50s and 60s," Cook said. "I was the young guy in my 20s and now I'm the old guy. Within two years of working there, three people retired. It was a good opportunity for me."

Cook later became the Clerk-Treasurer for Spokane and retired in 2002 due to politics.

After nine months away from an office, Cook was contacted by City Attorney Stanley Schwartz, who asked him to come help hire a new clerk-treasurer for Airway Heights.

"I had known Mr. Schwartz for a number of years, he also used to work for the city of Spokane," Cook said. "My intent was to come out here and interview a few folks and maybe give a little guidance. When I looked at the job description, I said 'well I've done most of this stuff' and I applied."

Once he started his new job, Cook learned the system and helped develop Airway Height's 2004 budget, which he cranked out in about six weeks, a daunting task since cities start developing their budgets in June.

"It was pretty hectic at first but it worked out," Cook said. "The folks were pretty good to work with back then and they still are now. It makes it easier when you have good folks working around you."

Over the years, Cook learned that creating a city budget takes a lot of hard work and discipline. He also learned how finding efficiencies in various areas of the city's budget can save the city money.

"If you cut certain costs you won't have much to save," Cook said. "The real way you achieve savings is through efficiencies. If you find a more efficient way of doing something, you save more money in the long run. We've also had some good audits over the years and it's important to maintain that financial stability. It shows good stewardship of your funds."

Although Cook lives in Spokane Valley, he has seen the growth in Airway Heights over the years, particularly in the housing developments and areas along Highway 2. He also noted the city's focus on improving parks and quality of life.

"If you lived here, moved and came back, you wouldn't recognize it," Cook said. "It's an area that's prime for development."

Assistant Clerk-Treasurer Amy Wiedrich, who has worked for the city since 2007, will take over Cook's position. Cook has been training Wiedrich for the last year, not only in the inner workings of the finance department but also having her attend City Council meetings and performing his role there.

"I've tried to pass on the knowledge that I may know, and resources I may have," Cook said. "It's kind of tough when you go to a new job and you have to start with nothing to go by or no one is there to really train you then it's tough. If you have something to take a look at, it gets you to a certain point."

Wiedrich said Cook is a knowledgeable man and knows she has some big shoes to fill.

"I hope he has the greatest retirement," Wiedrich said. "He deserves it."

For Cook, the thing he will miss most is the people he's worked with over the last 11 years.

"You know someone for a lot of years, you know their families and even their pets," Cook said. "I've enjoyed my time here. It was an opportunity and a new challenge but after 39 years it's time for something new."

City Manager Albert Tripp announced that the city will hold a party today (March 12) for Cook's retirement to "wish him well and thank him for his service to the city."

As for retirement, Cook said he has some projects at home he hopes to finish. In the long term, he and his wife hope to travel to the East Coast.

"There's a lot of history in this country and I'd like to have a first-hand look at it," Cook said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].