Carbon County commissioners surprised their county administrator twice in the space of a week.

The second surprise came during Thursday’s commissioners meeting, when solicitor Robert Frycklund read a resolution honoring her for reaching a 45-year milestone in county service.

He smiled as he began reading Eloise Ahner’s many accomplishments in her four-decade tenure, which began in 1980 as a clerical aide trainee who was hired to the position in 1981.

Ahner moved on to clerk/steno a year later, and assistant chief clerk and loss control coordinator in 1988 and has served as county administrator/chief clerk since Feb. 2, 2012.

“Throughout her distinguished career, Eloise K. Ahner has been recognized for exceptional professionalism, dependability, extensive knowledge, leadership and commitment to the residents of Carbon County,” he said.

In 2021, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania honored her as the Outstanding Chief Clerk/Administrator of the Year, recognizing her positive impact on the lives of county residents.

The award also highlighted her excellent work ethic, professionalism, interpersonal and leadership skills and extensive knowledge of issues affecting county residents.

“Her 45 years of service represents an extraordinary commitment to Carbon County and its residents, being a constant and trusted source of knowledge and continuity in Carbon County government,” Frycklund said.

“The Board of Commissioners of Carbon County,” he continued, “With heartfelt appreciation hereby honor and congratulation Eloise K. Ahner on 45 years of dedicated service to Carbon County and for her role in helping to make Carbon County a better place in which to live.”

Commissioner Chair Michael Sofranko said he can’t say enough about what Ahner does for the county, and how deeply she cares about residents, their concerns and every employee.

“She does an outstanding job for this county, she really does,” he said. “I personally don’t know where I’d be without her on a daily basis.”

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, who has probably worked the longest with Ahner, said she has the most difficult job in the county for many reasons.

“The biggest reason is having to deal with the commissioners. Over the years, she had dealt with many, many commissioners,” he said. “She has had that quality that she would be able to smooth things over between commissioners through hell and high water, in rough times and bad times.

“I know that she has many sleepless nights and worries about the country as much as we do.”

“So, congratulations and thank you,” he told her.

Nothstein then shared the story of the first surprise, as one of the commissioners kept her occupied in her office as staffers set up a party with elected officials and county employees.

“Everybody in the building was scrambling. Trays were coming out of nowhere. We were hiding food and coolers in closets and on other floors,” Nothstein joked. “She was really overwhelmed in how we pulled it off.”

Ahner, who was presented with the resolution, thanked the commissioners, and all the commissioners who came before them, the wonderful office staff and all the department heads and elected officials.

“I’ll be here for a little bit yet,” she said with a lilt in her voice.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said commissioners, especially him, give Ahner a hard time, but she does her job.

“That’s the main thing. She really does,” he said.