“Buzz” King died on Nov. 4, but lived to tell about it.

The outgoing president of the Nashville Town Council, who suffered a heart attack before Election Day, returned to lead his second-to-last council meeting on Dec. 20, hand out some thank-yous and accept an unexpected award as well.

King, 70, had gone to the hospital the weekend before Election Day because he wasn’t feeling well. “They said, ‘You had a heart attack two days ago.’” That was news to him, he told the council.

They planned to put in some stents, so King stayed at the hospital. That Sunday he was having a normal conversation with his wife and a medical professional, “and then I just dropped dead,” he said.

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He was flown to Methodist hospital and stayed there past Election Day in an induced coma, eventually receiving two new stents to keep his blood flowing.

In the meantime, on Nov. 6, King lost his bid for a fifth term on the town council. Nashville resident Nancy Crocker was elected to replace him starting Jan. 1.

The council sent off King and two other town employees with some unexpected gifts at their last regular meeting. King, outgoing council member Arthur Omberg and longtime committee volunteer/maintenance man Lamond Martin all were given Keys to the Village — an honor that’s been given to fewer than 10 people over the past 20 years.

Omberg and Martin weren’t there to receive their surprises; Omberg’s work schedule had just changed and Martin is in the process of moving to Kentucky.

King was surprised enough for all of them. The last Key to the Village the council gave was in 2015 to Nashville patriarch Andy Rogers, and King hinted that he wasn’t sure he belonged in that league.

King and Omberg first took office in 2002.

Omberg had been a Nashville police officer starting in 1989; he also was a volunteer firefighter and first responder. He later went back to school to finish his teaching degree, then was elected to the town council in 2001.

“My first job as an officer, I made $7.50 an hour and I thought I was rich,” Omberg wrote on his Facebook page. “But looking back, it wasn’t the money that made me rich. It was and is the wonderful, strange, eclectic groups of people who live here.”

For about 20 years, Martin has been the chairman of the town’s parking and public facilities corporation, the board responsible for parking lots, lighting, restrooms and other responsibilities that don’t normally attract attention or accolades. He’s also been the longtime chairman of the Brown County Board of Zoning Appeals. Recently, he’s been doing maintenance and janitorial work at Town Hall.

Martin is leaving the county and the state this month because of family responsibilities. He notified the council about his impending departure in July. The town is advertising for a person to replace him as custodian.

King also gave thanks to council Vice President Jane Gore and Chief of Police Ben Seastrom, whom he said “saved my wife’s life” with their quick thinking and support after his heart attack.

“Just think of the legal mess we would have been in if you’d been elected and died,” joked Town Attorney James T. Roberts, a friend of King’s since they were kids.

“And I contemplated all that,” King said. “… It’s just very fortuitous it happened the way it happened.”

He congratulated Crocker, who was in the audience, and new town council member Anna Hofstetter, who will replace Omberg, and wished them well in their new jobs.

“I’m sure it’s going to be great. I’ve got a feeling it’s all going to work out perfectly,” King said.

“It’s going to be strange and different for me. Sixteen years is a long time. I think I speak for Arthur and myself both that we appreciate everyone on the council, the town employees, especially the administration, the citizens — we appreciate your input, and believe it or not, good and bad, we listen, and we did what we thought was best.

“Thank you so much, and have a great year. I wish the best for everybody, and I will close by saying, ‘It’s been a hoot.’”

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1999: Rita C. Hart

2010: Jimmie D. Edwards

2012: John V. Davis

2014: Tom Tuley

2014: Bob Kirlin

2015: Andy Rogers

2018: “Buzz” King

2018: Arthur Omberg

2018: Lamond Martin

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Before the start of Judith Hardwick’s last meeting as a member of the Brown County Schools Board of Trustees, Superintendent Laura Hammack recognized her for her 12 years of service on the board.

Hardwick was defeated by challenger Vicki Harden for District 2 board seat in November.

Hammack presented her with a plaque recognizing her years of service, a clock that is given to teachers at the school district’s retirement tea each year, an Eagle pin, and a lifetime achievement pass that will get her into any school event for free.

Hardwick’s friends were in the audience along with building principals and former superintendent David Shaffer. Hardwick did not know about the celebration planned before the meeting.

Before the cake was cut and the meeting officially began, Hardwick took a moment to reflect on her time with the district. She started working for the district in 1981 and retired after 20 years as a Title I teacher. She was first elected to the school board in 2006.

“I love this school corporation. I love everything to do with it and about it. I will never quit working for it. I will always be a part of the school corporation. It’s just part of me. You don’t give away an arm or a leg, so I’m not giving away the school corporation,” she said.

“I just thank you all for being here. It’s really hard not to cry. But I love you all. I wouldn’t take back a moment of the time I spent in this corporation. This isn’t my last moment in the corporation; I’ll be sitting out where you’re sitting. I’ll always be a part of what this school does.”

Hardwick was the longest serving member on the school board. With her departure, Vice President Carol Bowden is now the longest serving member.

–Suzannah Couch, reporter

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