Lawrence Lank: 47 years and going strong

Lawrence Lank must be trying to get a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records for long-term employment. Sussex County's director of planning and zoning just celebrated his 47th anniversary with the county, most of that in his current post. He became director in 1985.

When you consider that the average person changes jobs 10 to 15 times during their working years, Lank is unique. He's also worked more years than the average American worker who stays on the job 40-45 years.

Most people are probably not aware that Lank had another job prior to his employment with Sussex County – he was a draftsman for NASA at Wallop's Island for nearly four years. So that means he's been working for more than half a century.

Lank – a treasure trove of county knowledge – was there before the county actually had zoning. He has worked with every county council member and planning and zoning commissioner the county has ever had because he was there when the General Assembly granted home rule to the county in the early 1970s to establish the current county system of government.

He knows more about the inner workings of the county and the players involved than anyone else will ever know.

While he has a high-profile job, he doesn't like to talk about it. I've asked him on several occasions to write a story about his life and he's declined each time.

There have also been rumors of his retirement over the years, but he has dismissed them all.

He loves his job and sees no reason to walk away from it.