By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — October 15, 2004 – Peter Lilholt, Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Works, will stay with the county for at least another year.
He called his decision to reverse his previously announced resignation “a change of heart.”
Lilholt submitted his letter of resignation in late August. His term was scheduled to end at the end of this month. However, County Manager Dan Briggs and several legislators were among those who insisted he stay.
“I’ve worked here all my life. I don’t have anything else to do,” he said.
However, Lilholt said he has been seriously considering a run for Town of Highland Supervisor, or returning to the town government in some function. He stated that many people in the town had been urging him to run.
Lilholt served on the town council for 12 years, including some time as Deputy Supervisor. He left the town board so he could remain in county government.
In order for him to return to town politics, Lilholt would have to leave his post as commissioner before he began campaigning.
He has been working for the county since he was a seasonal employee in 1966, serving as DPW commissioner for the last ten years. He oversees a department of over 200 employees.
Lilholt has been confronted with many tough challenges over the last year alone, including the Sullivan County Landfill and two crippling floods in the county.
He said he believed his knowledge of the workings of the landfill could be of service to the county as it contemplates its next step.
And that will not be a baby step. Lilholt said his department has been analyzing several possibilities, all the way from moving ahead with Phase 2 – which would more than double the size and scope of the landfill – to closing the landfill and exporting waste.
The county government has yet to receive approval for its expansion into Cell 6. In addition, the country has lowered its intake of waste substantially through the elimination of several importation contracts and the raising of fees. The legislature hopes the new measures will save space at the landfill through the next year.
Lilholt commended Briggs, who was one of the chief individuals that urged him to stay.
“He is a good friend and a pleasure to work with. He is very understanding and knowledgeable.”