Sheriff's office loses important asset

After serving with the Mineral County Sherriff’s Office for 25 years, Superior Mayor Roni Phillips announced her retirement from the Jail Administrator and 911-Dispatcher positions in early April. Phillips will remain Superior’s mayor, and will continue working as an EMT on Superior’s ambulance.

“It was time to start a new chapter,” Phillips said.

Phillips’ duties at the sheriff’s office included overseeing the dispatch center and detention center, where she worked more than 60 hours per week combined with her mayor and EMT duties.

“Over the years, the sheriff’s depended on her for the budget, food for inmates. Everything,” County Commissioner Roan Zylawy said.

“25 years is a long time sitting in that dispatch chair,” Zylawy said. “She earned it.”

ZYLAWY SAYS Phillips had the unique privilege of working in the original jail, which no longer exists. It was a two-story brick building built in the 1920, and until 1992 even the meals were prepared inside, which are now outsourced.

Following Phillips’ retirement, she can now spend more time with her retired husband and will continue her mayor and EMT duties. “It was a privilege,” Phillips said. “I enjoyed every person I worked with.”