For nearly 40 years, Ossian’s Joyce Bakewell has worked in her hometown as the City Clerk. The multifaceted role for city clerks in communities similar to the size of Ossian includes many different specialties and responsibilities, making her position vital to the success and betterment of the town. (Zakary Kriener photo)
Bakewell approaching 40 years as Ossian City Clerk
Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com
While much of what she does on a regular basis goes unnoticed to the majority of the public, the work done by Ossian City Clerk Joyce Bakewell on a daily basis is vital to the functionality of the community. In honor of the upcoming Municipal Clerks Week, which is Sunday, May 5, through Saturday, May 11, this article provides a closer look at the responsibilities and duties of Ossian’s longtime City Clerk.
“I began working for the City of Ossian on August 1, 1079,” said Bakewell, who grew up in Ossian and worked as a city clerk in Urbana for one year prior to returning home. “It isn’t really a job that you can go to school for, although I do have a business administration degree from Luther.”
When Bakewell assumed the duties of clerk from previous city clerk of 21 years Irvin Fosaaen, it was somewhat of a crash course for her.