Hanging Up the Helmet: Mokena Fire Chief Ted Golden Talks Retirement
As Mokena Fire Chief Ted Golden steps down Friday, find out his thoughts on retirement, his career and life in Mokena in his own words.
Videos
Fire Chief Ted Golden has served the Mokena community for the past 32 years and on Friday, June 1, he will step away from his post.
After working his way up the ranks of the Mokena Fire Protection District from code enforcement officer to the highest rank of chief, Golden leaves behind a career—and his dream since the age of five.
During the Mokena Village Board meeting on Tuesday, May 29, the Village honored Golden for his years of service with a villagewide proclamation of thanks and had several members of the board and Village staff speak highly of him.
“We rarely have a chance to say something to someone who has taken 32 years of their lives and dedicated it to us,” said Mayor Joe Werner during the meeting. “That's what this man has done.”
Following the proclamation, other members of the board and Village staff shared their thoughts on Golden's time serving the community.
“While he did such a great job while he was here, what he leaves behind is something to be prouder of, in my opinion,” said Village Administrator John Downs. “They have a great culture, they all work very hard on providing fire services to the community. … I know Ted will be proud of what he's done while he was here and he'll be very proud of what the department is going to do in the future.”
Other administrators echoed Down's sentiments, with each expressing thanks to Golden for his role in shaping the department over the past 32 years.
For Golden's reflections on his retirement, check out the video above.
Leave a few parting words for Fire Chief Golden in the Comments section below.
In This article
-
-
Village of Mokena Village Hall
11004 Carpenter St, Mokena, IL -
Mokena Fire Protection District
19853 Wolf Rd, Mokena, IL
Riverrat
10:28 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
Ted just saw this in the patch today. Wow been that long? Time just flies by, I had some great times with you while on the dept. we will have to get together now that you have extra time on your hands.
Your friend Kevin (MEL) Anderson
nick
10:58 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
Hopefully the next Fire Chief can cut back or put a cap on the gargantuan salary's paid to the Mokena firefighters. There are 34 firefighters and 11 are paid over $100,000.
Matt
2:14 am on Friday, June 8, 2012
I couldn't imagine anyone more deserving of a big salary than the people that risk their lives and invest their time in protecting and serving us people. Why should big companies' CEOs get paid billions to sit at a desk all day doing nothing at all, yet these hard working people such as firefighters barely make enough to support / start a family?
I personally think not just Mokena firefighters but all firefighters and anyone that devotes themselves to the people deserves the absolute best. I think it's money well spent and they deserve every penny.
I wish Ted the very best in his retirement - I don't live in Mokena but nevertheless a huge thank you by me and others for a job well done. :)