ROCKINGHAM — “It’s been a good trip,” outgoing Commissioner Thad Ussery said during a reception in his honor Monday afternoon.
A swarm of family members, county employees and friends came out to the Richmond County Airport to wish him well hours before his final meeting.
Among those was former two-term commissioner H.L. Webb, who said Ussery was “very humble” and “very informative.”
“He has been a good asset to Richmond County,” Webb said.
At the meeting, Ussery was honored again with a resolution of appreciation from his fellow commissioners, a plaque from the Lumber River Council of Governments Workforce Development Consortium Board and with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from former Rockingham mayors Gene McLaurin and G.R. Kindley.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Ussery was born to tenant farmers Thaddeus and Stella Ussery in Ellerbe. Growing up, he worked with his father and other local tobacco farmers, earning $40 during the summers to buy school clothes.
He married Mary Jane Gibson in 1937 and worked for A&P before getting an apprenticeship with the railroad, where his father was then working, as well as at the extermination business his father started.
It was working for the railroad where he was introduced to metal work, which led to him starting Richmond Steel and Welding in 1968. His wife came to work with him there.
Ussery said he was once asked, “What’s it like to work with you wife?”
“It’s good to go home and sleep with the secretary,” he jokingly answered.
The company grew over the next 30 years, with more than 100 employees at its peak, before he sold it in 2011.
A HUMBLE PUBLIC SERVANT
Ussery was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1994, when the county was struggling financially and in danger of being taken over by the Local Government Commission. He was re-elected to every term afterward before deciding to call it quits earlier this year.
In his mind, one of the most important stances he took was pushing for paramedic-level care for transport to hospitals in his rural county.
“We needed that very bad and we got it,” he said.
However, that, among other changes, was an idea that didn’t go over well with the public, and partially resulted in a run of “Impeach Thad” bumper stickers being printed and passed out.
“It hurt my family more than it hurt me,” he recalled, slightly choking up.
But, to this day, Ussery is still unapologetic.
“It saved some lives and you’re looking at one life that it saved,” he said.
Since being elected, Ussery has also been on the board for the Sandhills Center, which has seen its fair share of changes over the years, according to CEO Victoria Whitt.
She said Ussery has done a “tremendous job”— especially in his 10 years as chairman — in bringing the board together, which has 21 members from nine counties.
Ussery will remain on that board for another term.
Kenneth Robinette, board chairman, was elected two years later and has served with Ussery for more than two decades.
Robinette called Ussery a leader and a statesman.
“Thad has been a great county commissioner, he’s been a great friend,” Robinette said. “He’s been like a second father to me. He loves Richmond County and it shows in the things he does.
“He thinks about it … he prays about it, but once he makes his mind up … he’s got a lot of starch in his pants and he believes in what he believes in,” Robinette continued. “He gives it serious consideration. He doesn’t just willy-nilly decisions.”
Robinette said he’s served with great commissioners, but Ussery is “at the top.”
Commissioners Ben Moss, Herb Long and Jimmy Capps also expressed their gratitude to Ussery for helping them when they were elected to the board.
Capps said Ussery advised him, “Just take it easy and everything will be OK.”
County Manager Bryan Land called Ussery a “great role model and mentor” and said he “epitomizes the meaning of a public servant.”
Both Land and Economic Developer Martie Butler listed off thing that have been accomplished since Ussery has been on the board: a decrease in the tax rate; an increase in the tax base; expansion of the county water system and water treatment plant; and the development of industrial parks.
“My cup is about to run over,” Ussery said after all the accolades.
But, he said, no one person is responsible for the county’s prosperity in the past 20 years and gave credit others who have had their hands in the accomplishments.
“All of our municipalities have come together in cooperation,” Ussery said. “If you don’t have the cooperation from within, it’s hard to get things done.”
He also thanked his family, the people of Richmond County, and God.
“When you feel led to do something, it’s worth the fight,” he said. “I believe our future is bright … as long as we maintain unity.”
