Slusser explains how Werden became regional superintendent

By Randy Pierce • After Robert Werden delivered his farewell address last month to members of the Madison County Board, its chairman, Chris Slusser, offered an explanation concerning the former’s selection as regional superintendent of schools.

“Rob and I go back probably 12 or 13 years,” Slusser said. It began with being around when Wayne Rosenthal of Morrisonville had been hired to lead the Illinois Department of Natural Resources after serving as state representative in Springfield.

Finding someone to fill Rosenthal’s vacated seat, Slusser explained, led him, as then-chairman of the Madison County Republican Party to seek out a candidate so the choice was Werden.

The other counties in Rosenthal’s district had more weight when it came to vote, Slusser’s counting only 12% as it represented the northeast corner of Madison County that was included.

“That’s when I got to meet him (Werden),” Slusser noted, “and I really liked him.”

When the previous regional superintendent was considering retiring, Slusser said he approached Werden with the idea of filling that position.

“I kind of planted the seed there,” Slusser continued. “We became friends and stayed in touch and so I’m to blame for Rob being here.”

Directing his next statements to Werden, Slusser, along with thanking him for the service to the county, said, “I know you really took your job seriously even though you like to have fun, you took it seriously and we appreciate that.”