Times Has New Office Manager

WAITSBURG - The Times is welcoming a new office administrator, Tawnya Richards, who will be in charge of accounting and paperwork to keep our operation running smoothly.

Richards, 39, has resided in Waitsburg for the past 5 years. She has a background in office manager and supervisor positions in small businesses and hospitals and is the perfect person for the job.

"We're very lucky to have someone of Tawnya's caliber to manage our office and provide the kind of customer service our readers and advertisers deserve," said Publisher Imbert Matthee.

Richards started the position the first week of March and replaces Norma Bessey.

She will be the cheerful voice answering the phone and a liaison for subscribers and advertisers. Richards will be able to handle all of the details regarding your Times subscription, advertising needs (through display and classified ads and legals) and will be handling all of the billing and payments.

Richards said she moved to Waitsburg to be closer to her parents, Wayne and Gail Pelley, who have lived in town for 17 years. Richards said it was very important that her two children know their grandparents and have great relationships with them.

"When I moved here, I wanted to work in the town where my kids are going to school," Richards said.

She said the job at the Times was perfect for her because it allows her to be close to her children, who attend school at the Waitsburg School District.

"Just being with my family is my no. 1 priority," she said.

Richards has two children, Katelynn, age 15, and Kyle, age 11. Richards said she makes it a point to be very active in her kids' education and supports them in their many activities, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, BMX riding, wrestling and riding horses.

She and her kids enjoy camping and outdoor activities and are now raising rabbits through FFA.

Richards also has a couple of recent additions to her family. She married Mickey Richards and now owns Waitsburg's favorite camel Izzy.

Mickey has been a foster parent for more than 47 children and works at Clean & Dry as a lead cleaning technician. Mickey also owns NorthWest Antler Design an antler art business and specializes in antler chandeliers.

Richards herself loves to scrapbook. She said she has 22 giant 4-inch scrapbooks completed with photos of her kids.

She also enjoys fishing, riding horses and camping .

Matthee added that he has known Richards for many years and he's excited to have her on board at the Times.

"Having her here on staff was meant to be," Matthee said.