“I didn’t do anything outstanding and I didn’t invent a cure for a major disease,” said Paul Wise, Genoa Township administrator. “All I’m doing is what I do. I love my job.”
Wise was awarded the 2017 Public Servant of the Year from the Genoa Township Business Association.
“When we went through the nomination process, the first person on the top of my mind was Paul Wise,” said Shawn Priebe, the association’s incoming president. “Starting a year ago, there was a lot of strong movement for Paul to be nominated. The basic component of his character is to be understated, but he is very good at strengthening relationships in the township.”
Priebe said in years past, the recipients have been elected officials of the likes of U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi and State Rep. Rick Carfagna. He said this year the association decided to identify those in the trenches, the people who get things done but go unnoticed.
The association picked the perfect person because Wise likes to go unnoticed.
The day of this interview he said, “If you could do this without using my name that would be perfect. I just want to do my job and I just want to serve the public, period.”
Wise moved to Genoa Township in 2004 to become the administrator. He said there were fewer developments and few trails, but now the majority of the township consists of residential neighborhoods, very little business off Maxtown Road and not a lot of commercial properties.
“We’re a bedroom community,” he said.
Wise said if there is a neighborhood issue, he and the township department heads take care of it.
“Things don’t go to the board,” he said. “I have great department heads that do their job. We have a great police chief, fire chief, maintenance director, HR is wonderful, and zoning is strong. I hire excellent people that make me look good.”
Wise said whether it is building trails or improving roads, it comes down to offering the best services to the residents of the township.
“We’re kind of like the Maytag repairmen; we don’t get complaints,” he said. “Everyone gets along. It’s a great place here.”
