Anderson attends last meeting as Westmoreland commissioner

Westmoreland County Commissioner Charles Anderson on Thursday called it quits, again.

Anderson, 77, is retiring for the second time. He finished out his 11 years on the county’s board of commissioners after a three-decade career as a pilot and officer in the U.S. Marines.

Anderson’s last public meeting was Thursday morning and in the afternoon the county hosted a retirement reception for workers to say their goodbyes.

Anderson was appointed to the board of commissioners in 2008 to fill a vacancy left after Republican Kim Ward was elected to the state Senate. Anderson was re-elected twice, in 2011 and again in 2015.

“It’s been a great honor to be here 11 years. It has really gone by so quickly. The joy of the whole thing is the people. We have so many great people here in Westmoreland County working for the common good.

“So when I walk away from this, people have been asking me all day what I’m going to miss about it, that’s what I’m going to miss. The people, the camaraderie.”

Anderson said he and his wife will travel in their retirement, continue with charitable work and will remain involved in the community.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stick around. You’ll be seeing me from time to time. Maybe not on the stage. I’ll be sitting in the seats,” he said.