Retiring Boyle County health director has played important roles in the community; many of his counterparts do likewise

The man behind Danville's smoke-free ordinance is stepping down from his position as Boyle County's public health director. "I've got a 100-acre farm and I plan to pursue those interests and do some extensive traveling," Roger Trent told The Advocate-Messenger's Mandy Simpson. (Advocate-Messenger photo)

Trent has been at the helm of the health department for 12 years. During his tenure, he "successfully lobbied the Danville City Commission to pass an ordinance banning smoking in all enclosed public places of employment," Simpson reports. He also started smoking cessation classes at the health department, collected food for families in need, and headed efforts during the 2009 ice storm. "He will certainly be missed, and I hope we can find somebody equivalent," said David C. Liebschutz, chairman of the Boyle County Board of Health.

Al Cross, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues and publisher of Kentucky Health News, commented on Trent's impact on his community: "County health directors rarely get noticed except when they create controversy or retire," he said. "They play, or should play, a more important role in the community than local news media might suggest." (Read more)