Godwin takes county post

By Jonathan Starkey
Staff Reporter

After 18 years in town government, Hal Godwin, Milton’s present town manager, will assume a Sussex County government position on March 1. Godwin will serve as an administrative assistant to the Sussex County Administrator Bob Stickels.

“I’m very excited,” Godwin said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity.”

Before moving from Newark to Milton to take the town manager position last February, Godwin held public office in the upstate town for 17 years. In 1987, he was elected onto the town council, a position he retained for 11 years. He then served as Newark’s mayor for six years before moving to Milton.

“He has the qualifications we were looking for,” Stickels said. “He will take very little training.”

Godwin will do a little bit of everything when he takes the Sussex County position. He will meet with the counties department heads to free up time for Stickels, and he will handle constituent complaints. He will also perform regular administrative duties, such as handling the budget each year – something familiar to the town manager and former councilman and mayor.

“He’s going to show me how to do the things that he needs help on,” Godwin said. “I know some of what is expected. I also know that I am doing to learn.”

Godwin will, in fact, learn the ins and outs of the Sussex County administrator position, Stickels said. Stickels is up for retirement this fall, and although he said that he will not likely leave for another few years, he wants to show someone what the position entails. That will provide for a smooth transition for the county when he does retire, if county officials decide to hire Godwin.

“It will be good to get other people to know what I do,” said Stickels, adding that it is not the type of job someone can learn in a matter of days, or even months. “I was pleased that he applied.”

For Godwin, taking the position is just another step in the right direction, he said. After leaving his five businesses — most of which dealt with the sale and repair of auto parts – he has found a niche in government.

To learn how government works on the county level is a priceless step for Godwin, who is, now, a career public official.

“It sounds like an opportunity for me to grow in skill,” Godwin said. “One job is for the town, one is for the county. It’s going to be a challenge.”