Lycoming County commissioners said goodbye Thursday to several long-term employees and hello to new board appointments, including Linda Sosniak who was added to the county Planning Commission.

Each of the employees recognized have worked in key positions; many headed county departments.

They are: John Yingling, director of the Department of Public Safety; District Attorney Kenneth Osokow; Kathy Rhinehart, register and recorder; Suzanne Fedele, prothonotary; Connie Rupert, treasurer; Ann Gehret, director of human resources; and Fran McJunkin, deputy director of planning and economic development.

It was noted that those employees have put in more than 200 years of combined service to the county.

The commissioners approved several people to fill positions.

They included the promotion of Roxanne Grieco to director of human resources and the hiring of Lauren Bower for deputy director of human resources.

Grieco’s yearly salary was set at $90,261. Bower will earn $57,611 annually.

The following persons were approved for vacant positions:

• Cindy M. Black, assessment office clerk, $13.95 per hour.

• Clinton W. Frackman, Department of Public Safety, communications, $16.59 per hour.

• Jimmy Bennett, Resource Management Services, transfer station supervisor, $18.08 per hour.

• Robert Wells, prison, correctional officer, $17.23 per hour.

The commissioners also approved a number of people to county boards.

Commissioner Rick Mirabito noted that efforts were made to appoint women to vacancies.

Among the appointments was Linda Sosniak to the county planning board.

Earlier this year, Sosniak was passed over to fill the vacancy, despite being the only person to apply for the position.

Commissioners instead appointed a man to serve on the board.

“I guess the message we are sending is we want women to apply,” Mirabito said.

Added Commissioner Tony Mussare: “These women who were appointed were certainly well qualified.”

Persons appointed to county boards were:

• Library System Board– Rick Mirabito, Larry Stout and Christine Foresman.

• Agriculture Land Preservation Board — Paul Wentzler and Dean Bussler.

• Airport Authority Board — Garth Everett, Michael Reed, Stephen Logue and Trisha Gibbons Marty.

• Industrial Development Authority Board — Jason Bogle.

• Water and Sewer Authority Board — Paul Wentzler and Jan Ransforf.

• Authority Board — Brian Shearer.

• Zoning Hearing Board — David Hines and Romuald Andraka (alternate).

• Planning Commission — Linda Sosniak and Bret Taylor.

• Conservation District — Rick Mirabito, Paul Wentzler and Tom Hamm.

• Interim Tax Claim Director — Leah M. Dawes.