By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer • [email protected]
Colleagues, family, and friends as close as family gathered at the Rockport Community Center December 28 to wish longtime Rockport Councilman Ferman Yearby a happy retirement with a farewell party (though Yearby certainly isn’t going anywhere). After 20 year of service on the Rockport Common Council, Yearby elected not to stand for re-election this year, on the grounds that it was time to let a new generation start taking over. Local politicos young and old were well in attendance to wish Yearby well, and in the case of the new Mayor, remind him that he’ll still be expected to weigh in on things.
Naturally, one can expect that Yearby will still be heavily involved in community organizations and initiatives. When one has been engaged in the city’s affairs for so long, it’s not so easy to let go.
“I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,” said Yearby. “Rockport is a special place.”
The small-town nature of the community certainly helps. In fact, much of Yearby’s tenure on the council has been shared with Councilwoman Connie Hargis, who has been a neighbor and friend since his family’s arrival in the city.
The two reminisced about some of the longer council meetings they’ve endured together, as well as some of the agenda items that ate up a bit more floor time than previously anticipated (sometimes due to Yearby’s penchant for due diligence).
“We’ve always had exciting discussions,” said Hargis.
Yearby, however, jokingly recalled a time when Hargis brought a mallet from her church’s bell choir into a meeting one evening, leading Yearby to ask, “is that for me?”
Former Mayor Harold Goffinet also took a moment to reflect on old times. Like Hargis, he and Yearby have known each other since early youth. Goffinet, of the Tell City Goffinets, remarked that one night in 1967 he found himself having to get back to Perry County and facing the prospect of hitchhiking his way home. As fate would have it Yearby’s father, Mayor Ferman Yearby II, volunteered to take him not just part of the way, but right to his doorstep.
“That’s how I met this guy,” said Goffinet, giving Yearby a friendly slap on the back.
John Hargis, formerly attorney for the Rockport Common Council, took a moment to put Yearby in the spotlight as well.
“You’d be hard put to find someone who has more love for Rockport,” he said. “You’d probably have to go back to Ferman Yearby II.”
There were plenty of voices from old times to cover that gap, including council members and other local officials past and present. It was ultimately the newer generation of public servants who stepped up to honor Yearby with a certificate in recognition of his contributions to the community. The honor was presented by Megan Vance, deputy clerk and one of Yearby’s first students from his days as an educator. Vance was joined by Mayor Cathy Kirkpatrick, who reminded the crowd that they haven’t seen the last of Yearby. There are a lot of irons in the fire when it comes to economic development, and Kirkpatrick has made no secret of her desire to see Yearby continue to be involved in the planning process.
Yearby certainly has no intention of leaving Rockport behind, not with his retirement party closely resembling the finale of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He was grateful to see Connie Hargis continuing in her position, and has every confidence in the current administration and other newcomers keeping the city moving forward. Yearby was also grateful to see so many of Rockport’s most engaged residents coming out to share the evening with him.
“You’re all my family,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
Featured Image: Former Councilman Ferman Yearby receives a Certificate of Achievement award from Deputy Clerk Megan Vance, a former student of Yearby’s, during his retirement ceremony at the Rockport Community Center on December 28
Yearby poses for a picture with Vance, Rockport Mayor Cathy Kirkpatrick, and Councilwoman Connie Hargis
Man of the Hour: Ferman Yearby was greeted by numerous attendees of his retirement party on December 28. Former Mayor Harold Goffinet was among the attendees that congratulated Yearby for his years of service
Yearby is seen sharing a laugh with colleagues David Hart, Former Mayor Harold Goffinet, and Mayor Cathy Kirkpatrick
